Croatia secured a 2-1 victory over Ghana at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to punch their ticket to the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup. The win placed Zlatko Dalić’s squad second in Group L behind England, ensuring a knockout stage matchup against Portugal in Toronto.
At 40 years and 291 days old, captain Luka Modrić became the oldest player to record an assist at the World Cup since 1966. Modrić delivered an outswinging corner kick in the 83rd minute that found Nikola Vlašić, who drifted away from his marker to head in the decisive game-winner, according to a Sky Sports report.
The Croatian attack struck first in the 31st minute when 22-year-old Petar Sučić buried a 30-yard strike into the bottom left corner. At 22 years and 245 days old, Sučić is now the second-youngest player to ever score a World Cup goal for Croatia, trailing only Joško Gvardiol. The early lead helped silence critics who questioned the aging core of the Croatian roster following their opening defeat to England.
Ghana responded in the 73rd minute. Derrick Luckassen guided home a free-kick delivered by Ernest Nuamah. The equalizer stood following a four-minute VAR review checking for potential offside, as detailed in a live blog from The Guardian that tracked the match timeline and confirmed Scotland’s elimination. Despite the late concession and eventual loss, Ghana also advanced out of Group L. Under the expanded tournament format, the Black Stars progressed as one of the best third-placed teams and will face Colombia next.
The group stage finale marked Modrić’s 22nd career World Cup appearance. The start moves him past Diego Maradona and ties him with Manuel Neuer on the all-time tournament appearance list.