Panama
Croatia
Both sides arrive at Toronto Stadium with zero points, and a result here could decide who keeps any real hope of a third-placed finish alive. Panama lost 1-0 to Ghana despite barely being troubled for long spells, while Croatia were taken apart by England's attack in a 4-2 defeat. This is the kind of match Croatia are expected to win, but Panama have already shown they can make life difficult for better sides.
Panama — Los Canaleros
There's a reasonable case that Panama were the better side for large stretches against Ghana. They didn't face a single shot in the first half and limited the opposition to one header from a set piece soon after the break, only for Caleb Yirenkyi to break their hearts in stoppage time. Thomas Christiansen is still chasing his side's first ever point at a World Cup, with their only previous appearance, back in 2018, ending in three defeats.
Midfielder Carlos Harvey and wing-back Cesar Blackman are both one yellow card away from suspension for the final group game, so expect a disciplined approach regardless of how the match is going. Yoel Barcenas was excellent defensively against Ghana and is in line for his 106th cap, while Jiovany Ramos, Jose Cordoba and Andres Andrade are all set to continue in the back three that held firm for so long last time. Up front, Cecilio Waterman is the one tasked with holding the ball up and taking some of the pressure off a defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet in nine matches.
Croatia — Vatreni
There's no great shame in losing to an England side that scored four, and Zlatko Dalic will point to a decent opening 45 minutes before his side were physically overrun. Croatia have form for tightening up after a rocky start, having gone unbeaten through the group stages in both 2018 and 2022 on the way to a final and a semi-final.
Six of the current squad were at that 2018 tournament, including 40-year-old Luka Modric, who's expected to start again regardless of his age. The lineup pencilled in here goes with a 4-2-3-1: uncapped-at-this-level Luka Sucic alongside Modric in a double pivot, Martin Baturina handed the number 10 role, and Petar Budimir leading the line with Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric either side of him. Several outlets have a different shape entirely, with Modric instead playing in a midfield three alongside Mateo Kovacic and Mario Pasalic, and Petar Musa leading the line in place of Budimir. It's a notably different look from what's being talked about elsewhere, so don't be surprised if the team sheet still has a surprise or two in it.
Predicted Lineups
Key Battle
Luka Modric vs Panama's midfield four. Croatia's whole approach depends on Modric dictating tempo from deep. If Panama's well-organised four in front of the back three can close him down quickly, Croatia could find themselves short on ideas the way they did before England's class took over. Give him space, and his passing range should pick Panama apart eventually.
Prediction
Panama's defensive discipline makes this harder than it should be on paper, and they were arguably unlucky not to take something from a tougher fixture against Ghana. Croatia's experience and quality in behind the Panama back three should tell in the end, though, and a goal or two from a settled, talented squad feels like the more likely outcome.
Panama 0–2 Croatia — Budimir, Kramaric
⚽ Don't forget to submit your prediction at bantamtalk.com/predictionleague before kickoff!