Panama and Croatia face a straight shootout for World Cup survival when they meet in Group L on Tuesday. Kick-off is scheduled for midnight (UK time) on Wednesday 24th June at BMO Field, Toronto.
Panama dominated possession against Ghana but paid the ultimate price, conceding a gut-wrenching 95th-minute winner. They were the better side for long spells yet return to Toronto empty-handed. Three points here would dramatically revive their knockout hopes.
Croatia’s experience counted for little against England’s second-half intensity, as a 2-2 half-time scoreline became a 4-2 defeat. Dalić’s side showed enough quality in the first half to suggest they remain a dangerous proposition. They simply cannot afford another second-half collapse.
Panama and Croatia have never previously met in senior international football. Tuesday’s fixture in Toronto is a historic first encounter between the two nations.
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Panama vs Croatia team news
Panama team news
Thomas Christiansen is unlikely to make wholesale changes after Panama’s disciplined 1-0 defeat to Ghana. Orlando Mosquera retains his place in goal behind a back three that Christiansen will look to maintain after a largely solid defensive display against the Black Stars.
Michael Amir Murillo and César Blackman are expected to continue as wing-backs. The central defensive trio of Jiovany Ramos, José Córdoba and Andrés Andrade did well to restrict Ghana’s attack for long periods and should keep their places.
Adalberto Carrasquilla anchors the midfield and remains Panama’s most important player in possession. Carlos Harvey and Yoel Bárcenas are expected alongside him, though Harvey must avoid a yellow card — a booking here rules him out of the final group game against England.
Cecilio Waterman leads the line and must offer more of a goal threat than he did against Ghana. Christiansen has limited options from the bench given Panama’s squad depth, making the starting eleven selection even more critical.
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Croatia team news
now the same for Croatia
11:30
Claude responded: Zlatko Dalić is expected to make changes after Croatia’s chastening 4-2 defeat to England.
Zlatko Dalic is expected to make changes after Croatia’s chastening 4-2 defeat to England. Dominik Livakovic retains his place in goal, but Dalic will look to shore up a defence that was repeatedly exposed by England’s second-half intensity.
Josko Gvardiol anchors the back line and remains Croatia’s standout defensive performer. Josip Sutalo and Luka Vuskovic are expected alongside him, though Dalic may consider a more defensive setup to avoid a repeat of the England collapse.
Luka Modric starts despite lasting just over an hour against England. His experience and leadership remain too important to leave out in a must-win fixture. Mateo Kovacic and Mario Pasalic are expected alongside him in midfield, with Dalic demanding greater defensive discipline from his engine room.
Martin Baturina impressed in the opener and pushes hard to retain his attacking midfield role. The Como man was Croatia’s brightest spark against England and offers the creativity needed to unlock a well-organised Panama defence.
Ivan Perisic provides experience and quality from wide areas. Croatia’s bench carries genuine depth, with Kramaric, Nikola Vlasic and Petar Sucic all pushing for involvement.
Panama vs Croatia predicted lineups
Panama (3-4-3): Mosquera; Ramos, Córdoba, Andrade; Murillo, Carrasquilla, Harvey, Blackman; Rodríguez, Waterman, Martínez.
Croatia (4-3-3): Livaković; Staniśić, Šutalo, Gvardiol, Vušković; Kovačić, Modrić, Pašalić; Baturina, Musa, Perišić.
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