P. SUČIĆ AND VLAŠIĆ SECURE THREE POINTS

Croatia book their place in the World Cup knockout stage with a victory over Ghana!

28.06.2026.

Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS

In the final round of Group L at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the Croatian national team faced Ghana and secured the three points needed to finish second in the group and advance to the next round.

CROATIA 2–1 GHANA (1–0)

2026 FIFA World Cup – Group L
Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia

Referee: Drew Fischer (Canada)

Goals:
1–0 – Petar Sučić (31')
1–1 – Luckassen (73')
2–1 – Nikola Vlašić (83')

Yellow Cards:
Perišić (68')
Peprah (90+4')

Croatia:

Livaković, Perišić, Šutalo, Pongračić, Stanišić, Modrić, Kovačić (Mario Pašalić 78'), Petar Sučić, Baturina (Marco Pašalić 88'), Vlašić (Gvardiol 88'), Budimir (Matanović 67').

Head Coach: Zlatko Dalić

Ghana:

Asare, Adjetey (Peprah 46'), Mensah, Luckassen, Senaya, Partey, Sibo (Yirenkyi 85'), Owusu (Fatawu 46'), Semenyo, Sulemana (Nuamah 71'), Ayew (Thomas-Asante 71').

Head Coach: Carlos Queiroz

Croatia secured a place in the Round of 32 of the World Cup by defeating Ghana 2–1 in Philadelphia. With six points, Croatia finished second in Group L behind England, who simultaneously defeated Panama 2–0 to claim top spot.

Croatia's first real opportunity came after around fifteen minutes when Nikola Vlašić struck the post. The breakthrough arrived in the 31st minute, when Petar Sučić unleashed a magnificent long-range effort to give Croatia a deserved 1–0 lead.

After the break, Ghana became increasingly dangerous in attack, but Croatia's defense held firm until the 73rd minute, when Luckassen found the net from a set-piece to level the score at 1–1.

However, Croatia responded in the best possible way. Ten minutes later, captain Luka Modrić delivered a corner kick, and Nikola Vlašić headed home the winning goal to make it 2–1.

Croatia will now compete for a place in the Round of 16 in Toronto, where they will face the runners-up of Group K. The match is scheduled for Thursday night into Friday morning at 01:00 Croatian time.

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