Croatia Squeaks by Panama 1-0, Remains Hopeful for Spot in Knockout Round

Panama, which lost to Ghana on June 17, won’t advance to the round of 32. The Central American team gave a gutsy performance against the 2018 cup runner-up.

Croatia's Ante Budimir celebrates a goal against Panama during the second half of a Group L match in Toronto on June 23, 2026. Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP

A goal by substitute Ante Budimir in the 54th minute broke the scoreless deadlock against Panama on Tuesday and secured a 1-0 victory for Croatia, keeping its hopes alive of making the knockout round.

The cross from Josip Stanisic on the right side landed in front of Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera, who didn’t react to the bounce before Budimir’s left-footed poke in front of a packed house at Toronto Stadium.