Croatia’s old guard breathes life into their World Cup on Modric’s 200th cap; Panama crash out

Mounds of Croatia fans cheer Ante Budimir's opening goal vs. Panama in Toronto Ezra Shaw / FIFA / Getty Images

By Amy Lawrence and Lukas WeeseJune 23, 2026 Updated 9:14 pm EDT

TORONTO — On the night of Luka Modric’s landmark 200th cap, Croatia held off a valiant Panama side 1-0 at BMO Field to stay very much alive in the hunt for a place in the World Cup’s round of 32, while sending the Central American nation tumbling out of the competition after two matches.

Panama had the better of the action over the first half, but Croatia turned to its bench with nearly immediate results. Ante Budimir, 34, scored eight minutes after coming on to start the second half, and goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic was sensational to preserve the lead, securing three crucial points for the 2018 runners-up and 2022 semifinalists.

Croatia remain in third place in Group L, just a point off both England and Ghana and with a head-to-head meeting against the African side still to come. According to The Athletic’s World Cup tracker, Croatia now have a 95% chance of advancing to the knockout stage (where Portugal or Colombia are likeliest to be the first opponent as of now). Panama, meanwhile, are cruelly eliminated with a game to spare, having been beaten at the death by Ghana and then coming so close but being unable to break through Tuesday night.

Our writers break down the key talking points from the match:

Luka Modric is hoisted by his Croatia teammates after a win over Panama (Michael Reaves / Getty Images)

Modric makes history, but can he still conjure the magic?

In an entirely unscientific estimate, it seemed 90 percent of the thousands of Croatia supporters in Toronto had their jerseys embellished in honour of “Modric 10.” One of the best classical playmakers of his era, he was charged with influencing a team that is not vintage Croatia. But time seemed to be playing a cruel trick on Modric on the occasion of his 200th appearance for his country — just the fourth man to reach that plateau behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa. So often he has been the fulcrum, the leader, the inspiration. But it looked tough out there as Panama’s high-energy pressers sprinted around the pitch, while Modric’s own team-mates laboured to find momentum of their own.

Some of his veteran contemporaries still have the legs, power or charisma to influence matches at this tournament. Croatia’s virtuoso was trying to eke out one last tune, but the notes were quiet. At the age of 40, it was not surprising that he had to be more conservative about his running and positioning. Panama would not allow this to be a slow-paced encounter that would lend itself to the old maestro having time to dictate as he pleased. Quite often he found himself positioned around the halfway line, just ahead of the defence, and it was only on occasion he could drift further forwards to try to carve out an opening. At one point when Croatia won the ball from a turnover and sprinted off on the break, Modric was the second to last man to start moving forward, with only the goalkeeper behind him.

Once Croatia took the lead through Budimir, Modric had a golden moment, rolling back the years with an immaculately timed pass for Pasalic, whose errant shooting denied the old master the acclaim of what would have been a beautiful assist. Ten minutes from the end he was substituted to rapturous applause, as much for everything he has ever done before as what they saw now, but that was just the start of the celebration.

There was a gorgeous reception for Modric post-match, as the Croatians did a lap of honour around the stadium to thank their many thousands of fans. “Volimo Modric” is written on a sign. We love Modric. They really do.

Modric was then presented with a Croatia shirt that read “INFINITE LEGACY” with “200” beneath it — a 2 followed by the infinity sign to mimic the 00. He held it so proudly and was then given the bumps by his team-mates. Playing like a 20-year-old might not work so well anymore — and against the physicality of Ghana, he will be in for another test — but wringing every last enjoyable moment is to be cherished. – Amy Lawrence

Dominik Livakovic makes a full-extension save for Croatia vs. Panama

Dominik Livakovic makes a full-extension save to tip the ball over the bar for Croatia vs. Panama (Cole Burston / AFP / Getty Images)

Panama with nothing to show for a refreshing approach

It is really important that Panama’s contribution at this World Cup is measured by more than hard results. Their team brimmed with the desire to attack, and on several occasions were just a fraction, or a vital double save from Livakovic, away from goals that would have been well-deserved. The same could be said about their opening match against Ghana, when they were vanquished at the death.

Before the game, the many Croat supporters were bold in their predictions, and perhaps that is based on the historical status of the two teams. Panama arrived without ever winning a point at a World Cup, this being only their second participation. Croatia have reached one World Cup final and two semi-finals in recent memory. It was reasonable enough.

Stats between Panama and Croatia

It also underestimated the immense efforts within Panama’s football to improve themselves, to create a footballing culture to be proud of. They appointed Thomas Christiansen in 2020 and the Danish born former Spain international who played for Barcelona under the influence of Johan Cruyff has had a transformative effect over time. “We want to put Panama on the world map,” is his mantra, and his players responded in terms of their positive style in both matches so far against Ghana and Croatia. Both teams had a fright trying to contain Panama’s high energy football.

While some underdogs have made inroads based on brave defending and heroic goalkeeping. Panama love to attack freely and their supporters love them for that.

They do play with their own style, based on maximum enthusiasm and a desire to be ambitious. They play with heart and courage, a liking for tricks, a will to entertain. The Federation President Manuel Arias explained that the commitment is there to continue to grow.

“What has been the key to all the achievements of Panamanian football in recent years? We believed in the process when no one else did,” he says. – Amy Lawrence

Croatia fans packed the stands in Toronto Tuesday night (Sanjin Strukic / Pixsell / MB Media / Getty Images)

Toronto’s Croatian diaspora shows out

The largest Croatian diaspora in North America is in fact Toronto. According to the 2021 Toronto Census, approximately 130,000 Croatians live in the greater Toronto area. So it’s not surprising that six hours before kick-off, Croatian supporters started gathering outside BMO Field. They sang, hugged and posed for photos, wearing their Croatia kits, flags and water polo caps. These fans lived in Toronto or the greater metro area. But some, such as fans we encountered like Branimir and his son Bartol, travelled from Zagreb, just so they can achieve a bucket-list item of seeing their country play at a World Cup.

The pep rally turned into a march to the stadium with Croatia unfurling a 100-meter flag that fans walked underneath. Even though some fans described it as a “sauna,” nothing was tempering the passion from these Croatia supporters. Red and blue smoke from flares spread and the march to BMO Field was on.

Incredible energy and passion at the Croatia pep rally just outside BMO Field.

Under two hours until kick-off of Croatia and Panama.

Amazing scene in Toronto. #Croatia pic.twitter.com/aHDWJbm2Zd

— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) June 23, 2026

🇭🇷CROATIA IN TORONTO🇭🇷

The buzz is real outside BMO Field in Toronto.

Croatian supporters are dancing and chanting.

It’s going to feel like a Croatia home match tonight. #Croatia pic.twitter.com/x9YdGO4PK9

— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) June 23, 2026

The enthusiasm continued inside the stadium before kick-off, with a rousing rendition of “Moja Domovina,” a Croatian patriotic song. It reached ear-drum ringing levels when Budimir opened the scoring and as Croatia held on to win, with the entire south end of Croatian supporters letting out bellowing roars.

Toronto is home to many diaspora communities but its largest showed out in a memorable way at the World Cup. — Lukas Weese

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