A goalless first half, a purposeful double substitution at the break and a super-sub goal nine minutes after the restart - that, in brief, is the story of Croatia's 1-0 win over Panama in their second World Cup group match. The Croatians struggled to impose themselves in the opening period as Panama offered little space defensively in a 5-4-1 shape. The biggest moment of the first half actually belonged to the Panamanians: a header from Rodriguez in the 23rd minute was tipped onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Dominik Livaković.
Zlatko Dalić responded at the interval with two changes that gave Croatia a noticeably more attacking shape: Ante Budimir came on for Musa and Andrej Kramarić replaced Gvardiol. The effect was immediate. In the 54th minute, Mario Pasalic flicked a heel pass through to Josip Stanisic, who drove to the right byline and whipped a low cross to the back post. Budimir tapped in from close range - 0-1.
The match carried a special footnote: Luka Modrić earned his 200th cap for Croatia against Panama, becoming only the fourth footballer in the world to reach that milestone - after Messi, Ronaldo and Kuwait's Bader Al-Mutawa. The captain was substituted in the 81st minute to a warm reception from the crowd, having played throughout with a protective mask on, at the age of 40.
Panama found few answers after conceding. With just one shot on target and an xG of 0.06, the Central Americans' attacking threat was largely non-existent. Croatia themselves were economical - two shots, one on target, xG 0.05 - but clinical. With 64 per cent possession and a passing accuracy of 88 per cent, the Croatians controlled the game without overextending themselves.
For Panama, it was a second 0-1 defeat following the opening match - elimination is confirmed. Croatia sit on three points in Group L and have not yet secured a place in the round of 32, but have moved level with England and Ghana in the standings.
