Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 in the final match of Group L at the 2026 World Cup thanks to a decisive assist from midfielder Luka Modric, securing a spot in the round of 32 as the group runner-up. - VnExpress

Modric sets assist record, helps Croatia advance in World Cup

Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 in final Group L match of World Cup 2026 via decisive assist from midfielder Luka Modric, securing round of 16 spot as runner-up.

Modric corner kick for Nikola Vlasic header sealed 2-1 win, making Croatia captain oldest player to assist World Cup goal at 40 years, 291 days (since 1966). Win puts Croatia second in Group A, facing Group K runner-up in round of 16. Ghana already qualified before match. Finishing third, African team faces Group K winner in round of 16.

Modric celebrates after Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 in final Group L match of World Cup 2026 in Philadelphia, US on June 27. Photo: AP

Modric celebrates after Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 in final Group L match of World Cup 2026 in Philadelphia, US on June 27. Photo: AP

Despite qualifying, Ghana played hard as Croatia needed at least point. After half-hour deadlock, Croatia scored in 31st minute. Mateo Kovacic passed inside for Petar Sucic to shoot low from over 25m. Ball went through crowd of defenders into bottom left corner, leaving goalkeeper Benjamin Asare no chance.

Opener gave Croatia advantage, but Ghana fought back. In 73rd minute, from Ernest Nuamah free kick on right, Derrick Luckassen tapped in from close range. Referee spent four minutes checking VAR before awarding 1-1 equalizer, ruling Ghana defender not offside.

Ghana joy lasted only 10 minutes. From Luka Modric corner on right in 83rd minute, Nikola Vlasic headed ball off inside of left post into net, sealing 2-1 win for Croatia.

Beyond record, Modric remained central to Croatia play. He had match-high 102 touches, completed 82 of 89 passes (92% accuracy), created four chances, made three accurate crosses. Defensively, veteran midfielder made five interventions: two tackles, two interceptions, one clearance.

This was Modric's 22nd World Cup match, days after reaching 200 caps for Croatia.

Also in Group L, England topped group after beating Panama 2-0 in parallel match. Thomas Tuchel's team faces Senegal in round of 16.

According to Opta, Croatia created only 0.42 expected goals (xG) but scored twice, while Ghana had 0.74 xG and scored once. Luckassen equalizer was 200th goal of World Cup 2026.

Before kickoff, Croatia starting lineup averaged 30 years, 94 days old, second oldest in team's World Cup history. Still, Zlatko Dalic's experienced squad overcame pressure to advance.

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the Croatia national team is drawing attention with a squad boasting world-class physical strength and speed, including Petar Sucic reaching a speed of 36.8 km/h, faster than Vinicius. 17