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Croatia Beats Ghana to Reach World Cup Round of 16
Croatia defeated Ghana 2‑1 in the final Group L match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Philadelphia, securing second place with six points and advancing to the knockout stage. Petar Sučić opened the scoring in the 31st minute, and Nikola Vlašić added the winning header in the 83rd after a corner delivered by Luka Modrić. Ghana equalised through Derrick Luckassen in the 73rd minute, but the Croatian side held on to claim victory.
The result sets up a Round‑of‑16 clash with Portugal in Toronto on 3 July. Luka Modrić, at 40 years and 291 days, became the oldest player to record an assist at a World Cup. The win was praised by head coach Zlatko Dalić, who highlighted the team’s tactical adjustments and the players’ composure after earlier group‑stage setbacks.