Budimir Secures Vital Croatia Win on Modric’s Record-Breaking 200th Cap

Croatia secured a much-needed World Cup victory against Panama thanks to a single goal from Ante Budimir, a win that also marked a significant milestone for captain Luka Modric, who earned his 200th cap for his country. The tight contest saw Croatia edge out Panama, keeping their World Cup campaign alive.

Modric’s Landmark Appearance

The match was overshadowed by Luka Modric’s historic achievement, as the 40-year-old became the fourth male player to reach 200 international appearances for their nation. Modric joined an elite club that includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Bader al-Mutawa. His presence on the field was met with fervent support from the Croatian fans present.

Panama’s World Cup Elimination

For Panama, the defeat confirmed their elimination from the World Cup. They have now failed to secure a single point across five World Cup matches spanning the 2018 and 2026 tournaments. Their World Cup journey ends without a goal scored, following a narrow loss to Ghana in their opening fixture.

Match Narrative

The first half of the match was characterized by a slow pace and a predictable tactical approach. Panama adopted a deep defensive posture, inviting Croatia to attack their packed 5-4-1 formation. When attacks broke down, Panama attempted to counter with speculative long balls, but lacked the precision and attacking support to trouble the Croatian defense. Croatia, in turn, relied on crosses into the box and attempts to find the aging Ivan Perisic in space. Despite the defensive solidity, neither side managed to create significant clear-cut chances, with the first half producing minimal shots and a low expected goals (xG) figure.

Croatia Breaks the Deadlock

The breakthrough finally came in the 54th minute. Josip Stanisic made an overlapping run and delivered a cross from the right flank, which found Ante Budimir, a half-time substitute. Budimir expertly finished the chance at the far post, giving Croatia the lead.

Panama Pushes, Croatia Holds Firm

With the scoreline in hand, Panama was forced to push forward, creating more space in their defense. Croatia looked to exploit these opportunities, with Modric himself embarking on a run into open territory, though his effort was saved by Panamanian goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera. Dominik Livakovic, the Croatian goalkeeper, also proved reliable, making several close-range saves to deny Panama’s attempts to equalize. However, Panama’s late push devolved into hopeful long balls and ineffectual corner kicks, failing to break down Croatia’s resolve.

Implications for Croatia

This victory is crucial for Croatia, who had opened their World Cup campaign with a disappointing 4-2 loss to England. The win places Zlatko Dalic’s side a point behind England and Ghana in Group L, keeping their hopes of progressing in the tournament alive. The team, built around an aging core that reached the 2018 final and secured third place in 2022, desperately needed these points.

Key facts

The development matters for FootballGames10 readers as it provides a crucial update on the World Cup, highlighting a significant player milestone and a vital result for a major European nation’s tournament aspirations. It underscores the competitive nature of the tournament and the challenges faced by veteran teams.

Source: The Guardian Football – https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/24/croatia-panama-world-cup-2026-match-report