Croatia Edge Past Panama As Dalic Notes Surprise At Narrow World Cup Win

Croatia edged Panama 1-0 at Toronto Stadium, earning a first World Cup win of 2026 but also exposing issues that surprised Zlatko Dalic. Ante Budimir scored in the second half, boosting Croatia’s push for the round of 32, while Panama’s defeat confirmed elimination with one group game remaining under the new head-to-head rule.

Dalic welcomed the result yet admitted Croatia’s display did not meet expectations across long spells. Croatia created better chances on the data, winning the expected goals count 1.65 to 0.55, but Panama produced more shots and more touches in the penalty area, which left the coach reflecting on his team’s approach.

The victory extended Croatia’s consistent record of group-stage success at the World Cup. Across seven appearances, Croatia have now claimed at least one group win in six tournaments, with 2006 the only exception when they finished without a victory from three matches, drawing twice and losing once.

Facing opposition from CONCACAF has usually suited Croatia at this tournament. The result against Panama was Croatia’s third victory in five World Cup meetings with CONCACAF teams, adding to two previous wins and two losses. This match, however, was the first time Croatia kept a clean sheet against such opponents.

Despite the final score, Panama troubled Croatia in several areas. Panama recorded eight shots compared with Croatia’s six and also registered 19 touches in the Croatian penalty area, four more than Croatia managed at the other end. Croatia, though, generated the higher-quality openings, which showed in the expected goals numbers.

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The contest became even more significant because of the revised group ranking rules for 2026. With head-to-head records now weighted above goal difference, Panama’s second straight defeat confirmed exit after just two games. The loss leaves Panama without a point from five World Cup matches across 2022 and 2026.

Panama have joined an unwanted statistical group in the tournament’s history. Panama are the sixth nation to lose their first five World Cup fixtures, and the fifth from CONCACAF. The others are Mexico in 1950, El Salvador in 1982, Canada in 2022, and Haiti and Iraq in 2026, underlining the scale of Panama’s challenge.

Dalic expressed mixed feelings after full time, stressing how the performance differed from hopes before kick-off. "I didn’t expect that it was going to be such a difficult match, to be quite honest," said Dalic. "We didn’t react the best, and perhaps it could be due to the pressure, because we really needed to get these three points to move on to the second stage."

Dalic highlighted Croatia’s problems before the interval and admitted frustration at the time. "I am not the happiest with our play, to be honest, especially in the first half. And we didn’t manage to overcome this initially, this is why I was a little bit angry, and I reacted to this. But I will forget this, and now focus on what awaits us."

Across the pitch, Tomas Christiansen focused on Panama’s display rather than the elimination. "We played well. We fought until the end, staying true to our identity and the only thing I can say is that I am proud of my players," said Christiansen. "They played a great game, we went toe-to-toe with Croatia."

Christiansen felt Panama limited Croatia’s threat for much of the game despite the defeat. "Thats just how football goes. They had one clear chance and scored it. The truth is that they did not create too much danger against us. I think we were brave in this match and, once again, Im proud of the boys."

The result leaves Croatia in a stronger position for reaching the round of 32, though Dalic still sees work ahead based on this uneven performance. Panama exit with no points yet depart having challenged Croatia in key phases, which both coaches acknowledged while reflecting on a tight World Cup group match.