Budimir gives Croatia a 1-0 win to eliminate Panama from the World Cup

The Croatian core that lifted a country of under 4 million people to the improbable heights of a 2018 World Cup final and a third place in 2022 is ageing out and badly necessitated points after a sloppy 4-2 opening defeat to England.

Panama 0-1 Croatia: Ante Budimir’s second-half goal kept Croatia’s hopes of progressing to the latter stages alive but knocked out Panama, ahead of their final group-stage clash against England

Croatia secured their first points of the World Cup on Tuesday with a narrow 1-0 win over Panama, courtesy of a second-half strike from substitute Ante Budimir, a result that eliminated the Central American side from Group L contention.

After a big loss to England, they just about managed a narrow win against Panama.