Budimir decides as Croatia edge Panama 0-1 in Toronto

Croatia claimed a precious 0-1 win over Panama at Toronto's BMO Field, the compact, noisy Canadian ground beside Lake Ontario, in a second-round Group L clash at the 2026 World Cup. The 2018 runners-up earned their first win of the tournament and rejoined the race for the last 16 after a hesitant start.

The decisive goal came in the second half. In the 54th minute, Ante Budimir finished off a Josip Stanišić pass to put Croatia ahead, a strike that ultimately earned all three points. Zlatko Dalić had shuffled his bench at the break, bringing on Petar Musa and Joško Gvardiol, in search of a cutting edge that eventually arrived.

Panama, who needed points to stay in contention, pushed as the minutes passed but lacked clarity in the final third. Thomas Christiansen stirred his bench late on — with José Fajardo and Cecilio Waterman among the attacking reinforcements — without finding the reward of an equaliser.

Christiansen set up a deep-lying Panamanian 5-4-1, while Dalić lined Croatia up in a 4-2-3-1 that gained thrust through his changes. The match had its edge, with yellow cards for Panama's Bárcenas (61') and Croatia's Petar Sučić (90'). The introduction of veteran Luka Modrić in the 81st helped the Balkan side manage the decisive stretch.

With the win, Croatia move on to three points in Group L and control their own destiny with one matchday left, while Panama are left without a point after two defeats and badly placed. The group closes on 27 June: Croatia play for qualification against Ghana and Panama bow out against England at the 2026 World Cup.