Croatia break Panama deadlock
Croatia secured a vital 2026 FIFA World Cup Group L victory, beating Panama 1–0 thanks to a single goal from Budimir in the 54th minute. The result keeps Croatia firmly in contention heading into the final round of group fixtures, while Panama’s hopes of progression are hanging by a thread.
The only moment of note in the scoring column came just after the hour mark when Budimir found the net to separate the two sides. Panama had no answer and could not find the equaliser their efforts may have required, finishing the match without a goal to their name across a second consecutive group game.
Group L picture tightens
The result means Croatia move to three points in World Cup 2026 hub Group L, sitting in third place behind England and Ghana, who both have four points from two games. Panama sit rooted to the bottom of the group on zero points after two outings, making their situation in the competition extremely precarious.
With the live World Cup 2026 standings showing England and Ghana level at the top on four points apiece, the race for the two qualifying spots from Group L remains open for Croatia but increasingly difficult for Panama, who must now win their final fixture and hope results elsewhere go in their favour.
Croatia’s narrow but decisive victory demonstrates the fine margins at play in this group, where a single goal has proven enough to shift the standings significantly. Panama, yet to trouble the scoreboard across two matches, will need to find a different level of performance to keep their World Cup alive.