Croatia secured their place as runners-up in Group L of the World Cup 2026 after a 2-1 victory over Ghana in Philadelphia. The win allows Zlatko Dalic's team to advance to the knockout stage, where they will face Portugal on July 3. Ghana, finishing in third place, will go up against Colombia in their next match.

Match Overview

Both teams entered the match knowing that a draw would suffice for progression to the next round, leading to a cautious start. The first 15 minutes saw no shots taken and no touches in the opposition box. It wasn't until the 17th minute that Croatia's Nikola Vlasic attempted a shot, which narrowly missed the target.

Key Moments

Ghana had previously adopted a defensive strategy in their midweek match against England, managing to keep a clean sheet. However, Croatia broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark when Petar Sucic found space from 35 yards out and struck a low shot into the bottom-left corner. At that moment, with England drawing against Panama, Croatia was positioned to advance as group winners.

As the match progressed, England's Jude Bellingham scored, shifting the dynamics of the group. Ghana equalized in the 73rd minute through Derrick Luckassen, who scored after a lengthy VAR review confirmed the goal. Ultimately, Croatia's earlier goal proved decisive, allowing them to secure the victory and advance in the tournament.