Croatia secured second place in Group L with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Ghana on Saturday at Philadelphia Stadium, a result that confirmed Scotland's
Croatia secured second place in Group L with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Ghana on Saturday at Philadelphia Stadium, a result that confirmed Scotland’s elimination and set up a tense finish to the section behind group winners England.
Ghana had entered the final group match in second place on four points after beating Panama and drawing with England, while Croatia sat third on three points following a win over Panama after an opening defeat to England. With qualification on the line for both sides, the stakes could hardly have been higher.
Croatia controlled possession for much of the opening period, moving the ball confidently through midfield led by the imperious Luka Modric, while limiting Ghana’s attacking opportunities, though Ghana remained compact defensively and struggled to create clear chances until late in the half.
An early warning sign came in the 9th minute when a dangerous Croatian cross forced Ghana goalkeeper Benjamin Asare into an important save, and in the 17th minute, Nikola Vlašić rattled the post with a powerful strike from outside the box.
The breakthrough arrived just past the half-hour mark. Inter Milan’s Petar Sučić’s long-range strike in the 31st minute separated the two sides at the break, with Croatia taking a 1-0 lead into halftime after a composed first-half display.
Ghana came out for the second half with greater intent, and their persistence was rewarded with an equaliser.
Derrick Luckassen, brother of Netherlands forward Brian Brobbey, volleyed home a 73rd-minute equaliser from Ernest Nuamah’s free-kick, sending Ghanaian fans inside the stadium into delirium and putting the Black Stars on course for a result that would have sent them through in second place.
But Croatia, drawing on its tournament pedigree, struck back almost immediately. Vlasic’s decisive intervention came from Luka Modric’s delivery, with the forward’s header proving unstoppable.
The goal proved decisive, and despite Ghana’s continued efforts to find a second equaliser, Croatia held firm to seal a third win from four matches.
Ghana had entered the contest aiming to become the first African side to record three consecutive clean sheets in a single World Cup group stage, while Croatia carried an unbeaten record against African opposition at the tournament heading into the match. That Croatia’s record extended, but Ghana could not set theirs even though the Black Stars’ campaign was not derailed.
The result saw Croatia finish second in the group on six points, one behind England, who beat Panama in the concurrent fixture. Ghana finished two points further back but progressed as one of the best third-placed teams in the competition — securing their place in the Round of 32 despite Saturday’s defeat.
Croatia will meet either Portugal in the next round, with the tie set for July 2, while Ghana will face South American side Colombia.
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