Croatia's Ante Budimir scores decisive goal to beat Panama at World Cup

Ante Budimir, 34, netted the only goal in the 54th minute of Croatia's 1‑0 victory over Panama, becoming the oldest Croatian scorer in World Cup history and surpassing Ivica Olić's record. The win kept Croatia's hopes alive in Group C of the 2026 World Cup hosted in North America.

Coach Zlatko Dalić praised the comeback but warned that the team’s defensive frailties remain a concern, noting the need for greater composure and balance. The match also marked Luka Modrić's 200th appearance for the national side, earning a tribute from fans and the stadium.

Looking ahead, Croatia will face Ghana in the next group game, a fixture that Dalić described as a potential “make‑or‑break” encounter for progressing to the knockout stage.