World Cup Group Stage - 3
Croatia 2 - 1 FT Ghana
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
31' P. Sucic (M. Kovacic)
HT
↓ J. Adjetey ↑K. Peprah 46'
↓ E. Owusu ↑I. Fatawu 46'
66' ↓ A. Budimir ↑I. Matanovic
68' I. Perisic
↓ J. Ayew ↑B. Thomas-Asante 71'
↓ K. Sulemana ↑E. Nuamah 71'
D. Luckassen (E. Nuamah) 73'
78' ↓ M. Kovacic ↑M. Pasalic
83' N. Vlasic (L. Modric)
↓ K. Sibo ↑C. Yirenkyi 85'
88' ↓ M. Baturina ↑M. Pasalic
88' ↓ N. Vlasic ↑J. Gvardiol
K. Peprah 90'+4
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Croatia
Goalkeepers
Dominik Livaković 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Josip Stanišić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Josip Šutalo 
MAGNET
90
Activity
90
Activity
87
Passes
3
Duels
Marin Pongračić 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
57%
Duel Win %
Ivan Perišić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Luka Modrić 
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
1
Assists
81%
Pass Acc
Mateo Kovačić 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
6.9
Rating
Petar Sučić 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Nikola Vlašić 
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
Martin Baturina 
PROVOCATEUR
5
Fouls Won
5
Fouls Won
8
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Forwards
Ante Budimir
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
66
Total Mins
66
Entry
BENCH
Dominik Kotarski 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Ivor Pandur
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Duje Ćaleta-Car
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Joško Gvardiol
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Luka Vušković
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Martin Erlić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kristijan Jakić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Luka Sučić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mario Pašalić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nikola Moro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Toni Fruk
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marco Pašalić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Andrej Kramarić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Igor Matanović
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Petar Musa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ghana
Goalkeepers
Benjamin Asare
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Marvin Senaya
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jonas Adjei Adjetey
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Derrick Luckassen
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Gideon Mensah
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Thomas Partey
MAGNET
80
Activity
80
Activity
75
Passes
5
Duels
Antoine Semenyo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Elisha Owusu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Kwasi Sibo
LATE SHIFT
5
Late Mins
5
Late Mins
85
Total Mins
85
Entry
Kamaldeen Sulemana
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
71
Total Mins
71
Entry
Forwards
Jordan Ayew
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
71
Total Mins
71
Entry
BENCH
Lawrence Ati Zigi
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Joseph Anang
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Alidu Seidu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Abdul Mumin
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rahman Baba
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jerome Opoku
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kojo Peprah Oppong
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
51
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Caleb Yirenkyi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Augustine Boakye
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
51
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Christopher Baah
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Iñaki Williams
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Brandon Thomas-Asante
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ernest Nuamah 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
25
Minutes
7.2
Rating
Prince Kwabena Adu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Late Vlasic Strike Shatters Ghanaian Dreams in Philadelphia
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 50/100. Our verdict: An 83rd-minute dagger ensured Croatia survived a massive Group Stage scare at Lincoln Financial Field, securing vital progression when it mattered most.
The Chess Match at the Linc
The early exchanges at Lincoln Financial Field saw Croatia settling into a familiar, rhythmic passing structure. They edged possession against a resolute Ghana side, heavily relying on their experienced midfield core to dictate the tempo. The Stakes were genuinely immense for this crucial Group Stage decider, keeping the match highly tactical and cautious until the half-hour mark. The crucial breakthrough finally arrived when M. Kovacic spotted a sliver of space and found Petar Sučić, who clinically dispatched the opening goal. It was a masterclass in probing patience from the European side, methodically stretching the African giants' defensive line and ruthlessly capitalizing on their very first clear opening of the night.
An African Resurgence
Trailing by a single goal, the Black Stars had absolutely no choice but to roll the dice and abandon their rigid shape. The Intensity noticeably spiked in the second half as Ghana chased the game, throwing bodies forward with reckless abandon. The true turning point arrived with the timely introduction of E. Nuamah off the bench. Just moments after his arrival, the energetic super-sub threaded a perfectly weighted ball to D. Luckassen, who smashed home the equalizer in the 73rd minute. This dramatic strike injected pure chaos into the proceedings, wildly shifting the Balance of the match as both sides desperately scrambled for a winner to secure their tournament fate.
The Maestro's Final Word
With the match hanging on an absolute knife-edge and the clock ticking down, the seasoned veterans inevitably stepped into the spotlight. In the 83rd minute, the timeless Luka Modrić orchestrated the defining moment of the match, laying off a characteristically precise assist for N. Vlasic to fire home the dramatic winner. It was a brutal, heart-wrenching blow for Ghana, whose brief glimpse of a famous World Cup point was cruelly snatched away. Croatia's innate ability to maintain absolute composure under suffocating pressure proved decisive, grinding out a 2-1 victory that fully tested every single ounce of their storied tournament pedigree.
Key Questions
What made Petar Sučić the Man of the Match?
Sučić commanded the midfield with an 8.7 rating, opening the scoring and consistently breaking Ghana's defensive lines with intelligent distribution and a crucial key pass.
What does this mean for Croatia's season?
This crucial 2-1 victory secures six points in their group, ensuring their progression to the knockout stages and keeping their World Cup hopes firmly alive.
How did substitute Petar Sučić change the game?
Though Sučić actually started the match, his clinical 31st-minute strike set the tone early, giving Croatia the essential foundation to eventually survive Ghana's late surge.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
World Cup Survival on the Line
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 42/100. A ruthless group stage clash where a desperate Croatia must overpower a resilient Ghanaian side to avoid an early flight home.
The Setup
Welcome to Lincoln Financial Field for this crucial June 27, 2026 fixture. Croatia finds themselves staring down the barrel of elimination. After shipping four goals in a disastrous opening defeat, their Form is a massive red flag. They sit rock bottom of the group with zero points. Meanwhile, Ghana arrives full of confidence. Sitting second with three points and a clean sheet, the Africans know exactly what they need. The Stakes are astronomical here; a win for Ghana essentially punches their knockout ticket, while another loss sends Croatia packing. Expect the tactical Balance to tilt toward a heavy Croatian possession game. They lack overwhelming top-tier Stars up front, but with J. Gvardiol anchoring the backline, they will push high and press relentlessly.
Key Battle
This match boils down to Croatia's midfield control against Ghana's blistering counter-attack. The European engine room needs to dictate the tempo and break down a stubborn defensive block. However, if they commit too many bodies forward, Ghana's pacier wide men will punish them in transition. It is a classic clash between patient possession and raw, direct speed.
Our Take
Croatia 2-1 Ghana. The Europeans possess just enough attacking thrust to edge a tight contest, but their leaky defense guarantees Ghana will strike on the break. Desperation will drag Croatia across the finish line.