Budimir saves Croatia's campaign in narrow win as Panama eliminated from World Cup

The goalless draw between England and Ghana earlier in the day meant that any loser from this one would be making an early exit from the tournament, and that extra pressure was a likely factor in neither side gaining an early foothold on the game.

The best chance before the first hydration break came for Panama in the 17th minute, when José Fajardo was inches away from turning in a low cross fizzed into the box by Michael Murillo.

Dominik Livakovic tipping a Jose Luis Rodriguez header onto the bar made for a good highlight, but as the ball had gone out before the cross came in, the shots-on-target count remained untroubled.

Zlatko Dalic read his side the riot act during the pit stop, but despite increased spells of pressure in the Panamanian half, Croatia failed to generate any attempts before again coming under pressure from Murillo’s centres in the final 10 minutes of the half.

A wayward Luka Modric header and a blocked Murillo shot in the first five minutes looked set to be the only effort of the entire first 45’.

That was until added time, when Martin Baturina took aim from 20 yards, finally forcing Orlando Mosquera into action, as he got down well to his right.

Dalic made two substitutions at half-time in an attempt to change the game, and it was one of his replacements, Ante Budimir, who had the desired effect within 10 minutes of the restart.

Having been threatened by balls into their box from the right in the first half, that’s exactly the method they used to score, as Josip Stanisic combined well with Marco Pasalic before swinging the ball across. Mosquera missed it, allowing Budimir a simple finish at the far post.

It should have been 2-0 three minutes later, but Mosquera stood tall to deny Pašalić one-on-one after the Atalanta man was played through by Modric on a counter-attack.

The Panamanians recovered from that difficult spell and had plenty of the ball, but it wasn’t until midway through the half that Livakovic was worked, as he made a double save to deny Murillo, before helping Carlos Harvey’s header over the bar from the resulting corner.

On the occasion of his 200th cap, Modric was withdrawn with nine minutes remaining, and his teammates ensured it was a winning milestone by denying Thomas Christiansen’s side any late chances to level.

Panama will play for pride against England in their final match – along with potential revenge for the 6-1 thrashing they took at the 2018 World Cup – while Croatia will look to secure passage to the knockout stage against Ghana, knowing they have never failed to take a medal at the World Cup after progressing from the Group Stage.