Croatia closed out their FIFA World Cup group-stage campaign with a 2-1 victory over Ghana, maintaining their unbeaten momentum ahead of a blockbuster Round of 32 meeting with Portugal.
With both Croatia and Ghana having already secured qualification before kickoff, Sunday’s Group L encounter was played with knockout-round positioning and momentum at stake rather than survival. Croatia will now face Portugal in the Round of 32, while Ghana have been drawn against Colombia.
Zlatko Dalić’s side controlled much of the first half and deservedly took the lead in the 31st minute through rising midfielder Petar Sučić. The 22-year-old calmly converted after sustained Croatian pressure, capping an impressive opening period in which Luka Modrić orchestrated play and Nikola Vlašić narrowly missed with a fierce effort that clipped the outside of the post.
Sučić’s goal also earned him a place in Croatian football history.
At 22 years and 245 days old, he became the second-youngest Croatian goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history, behind only Joško Gvardiol, who scored at 20 years and 328 days during the 2022 tournament. Sučić also moved ahead of Ivica Olić, Martin Baturina and Darijo Srna on Croatia’s list of youngest World Cup scorers.
Ghana responded with greater urgency after the break and drew level in the 74th minute when Derrick Luckassen finished clinically to reward the Black Stars for an improved second-half display.
Parity lasted only nine minutes.
Nikola Vlašić restored Croatia’s advantage in the 83rd minute with a composed finish after another well-worked attacking move, sealing a fourth group-stage victory and extending Croatia’s impressive form heading into the knockout rounds.
Although Ghana pushed for another equaliser in the closing stages, Croatia’s experienced back line held firm to preserve the win.
Despite the defeat, the Black Stars had already done enough in their earlier group matches to secure progression and will now shift their focus to a challenging Round of 32 encounter against Colombia.
The match also added another statistic to Ghana’s World Cup record. The Black Stars have now conceded 24 goals in 18 FIFA World Cup matches, underlining the defensive issues they will hope to address before facing one of South America’s strongest sides.
For Croatia, the result highlighted the balance between experience and youth that has defined their campaign. Veteran captain Luka Modrić once again dictated the tempo, while Sučić’s historic goal and Vlašić’s winner reinforced the depth emerging within Croatia’s next generation.
With Portugal awaiting in what promises to be one of the standout ties of the Round of 32, Croatia carry valuable momentum into the knockout phase. Ghana, meanwhile, will take confidence from another World Cup qualification to the knockout rounds as they prepare for a high-stakes showdown with Colombia.
Sunday’s result may not have altered either team’s qualification status, but it provided Croatia with another statement victory and valuable confidence, while offering Ghana important lessons before the tournament enters its decisive stage.
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