Croatia defeated Ghana 2-1 on Friday, June 27, 2026, to secure a place in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup [1, 2, 3].

The victory ensures Croatia progresses to the round of 32, while Ghana — who had already qualified for the next stage — missed an opportunity to improve their final group standing [4, 5].

The match took place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia [6]. Croatia entered the contest needing a positive result to guarantee their progression from Group L [4].

Nikola Vlašić scored the winning goal to seal the result [1]. While sources differ on the second goal, some reports credit Vlašić with both scores, including a second-half header [1], while other reports attribute the second goal to Luka Sučić [6].

Beyond the scoreline, the match marked a historic milestone for veteran midfielder Luka Modrić. At 40 years old, Modrić became the oldest player to record an assist at a men's World Cup [5]. His contribution helped maintain Croatia's tactical control throughout the game.

The result leaves Croatia moving forward with momentum into the knockout rounds. Ghana, despite the loss, remains in the tournament due to their previous group performances [4].

“Croatia defeated Ghana 2-1 to secure a place in the knockout stage”

Croatia's progression highlights the continued competitiveness of their veteran core, specifically Modrić, who remains a primary playmaker despite his age. For Ghana, the loss prevents a higher seed in the knockout bracket, potentially pairing them against a more formidable opponent in the round of 32.