Croatia secured their progression to the last 32 of the World Cup by edging past Ghana with a 2-1 victory, clinching second place in Group L. The match, held in Philadelphia, saw Croatia take an early lead before Ghana fought back, only for the 2018 finalists to seal the win late on.
The opening goal came in the 31st minute when Petar Sucic unleashed a powerful long-range strike from 30 yards. The ball slipped low between Ghana’s centre-back Derrick Luckassen’s legs and past goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, who had limited visibility on the shot. Prior to that, Nikola Vlasic had tested Ghana’s defense with a close-range attempt that grazed the outside of the post following a swift الكرواتية counterattack.
Ghana’s Resilience and Croatia’s Late Winner
After conceding, Ghana intensified their efforts in the second half and eventually drew level through Derrick Luckassen, who capitalized on the momentum to restore parity. Despite Ghana’s spirited comeback, Croatia demonstrated their resilience, with Vlasic delivering a decisive header in the dying moments to secure the victory.
This result sets up Croatia for a knockout round clash against the second-placed team from Group K, scheduled to take place in Toronto on الخميس. Prior to this match, Croatia had been poised to top the group, but a goal from Jude Bellingham helped England defeat Panama 2-0, ensuring England’s first place in Group L.
Meanwhile, Ghana had already guaranteed their advancement to the knockout stages before facing Croatia, having earned a win over Panama and a draw with England in their opening games. This marks Ghana’s third appearance in the World Cup’s last 32 phase, underscoring their consistent presence on the global stage.