Nikola Vlasic’s 83rd-minute header sealed a 2-1 victory for Croatia over Ghana in Philadelphia, securing second place in Group F and sending Scotland out of the World Cup 2026. Luka Modric, aged 40, delivered the corner that set up the winner, capping a performance described by fans as “immense.”
Match Overview
Croatia took the lead in the 31st minute through Petar Sucic, who fired into the bottom corner from 25 yards after being given time on the ball. Ghana equalized in the 73rd minute when Derrick Luckassen jabbed the ball across the goal from a free-kick, though the flag initially went up for offside. A lengthy VAR review overturned the decision, awarding the goal. Croatia’s expected goals (xG) stood at 0.42 compared to Ghana’s 0.74, with Ghana managing only one shot on target throughout the match.
Key Moments
Ghana’s defensive approach frustrated neutrals, with fans noting their reluctance to attack. Antoine Semenyo, leading the line for Ghana, had limited service. Croatia dominated possession in the first half, with Ghana failing to register a single shot on goal before the break. The second half saw Ghana improve slightly, with Abdul Fatawu forcing a save from Livakovic after coming on as a substitute.
In the 82nd minute, Mario Pasalic forced a spectacular save from Ghana goalkeeper Asare, setting the stage for Vlasic’s winner from Modric’s corner. Ghana’s Luckassen had earlier equalized, but Croatia’s pressure paid off.
Group Implications
The result meant Croatia finished second in the group, while Ghana dropped to third, eliminating Scotland. Both Croatia and Ghana advanced to the knockout stages, with Croatia set to face Portugal and Ghana meeting Colombia in the round of 16. England secured top spot with a 2-0 win over Panama, thanks to goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.
Reactions
Will Unwin, reporting for the Guardian, noted: “I can’t remember watching a team with so little ambition to win a match as Ghana. The players can’t enjoy this style of football, can they?” Fans also praised Modric’s performance, with one email stating: “Immense performance by the skipper – controlled the game, set up the winner, and had more brilliantly timed tackles in the last 10 minutes than the whole Ghanaian team. Not bad for a 40-year-old.”
