Croatia advanced to the World Cup knockout round of 32 after a 2-1 win over Ghana on June 27 at Lincoln Financial Field, with Luka Modrić — 40 years old — powering the comeback. A breakthrough by Luka Sučić and a levelling set piece by Ghana were followed by M
PHILADELPHIA — For Croatia, it started like a match that could swallow a team whole.
With the expanded 48-team World Cup format allowing more wiggle room, the opening looked controlled, even cautious. For the first 15 minutes. neither Croatia nor Ghana registered a shot on goal. and neither managed a touch inside the opponent’s box. The stakes were still there underneath the silence: after a loss to England and a listless win against Panama. Croatia’s path to the round of 32 depended on at least one point in its final group-stage match against Ghana.
Croatia got it — then pushed further.
Croatia’s 2-1 win on Saturday, June 27, at Lincoln Financial Field sent the European nation into the knockout round of 32, following a group stage where it reached the final in 2018 and finished third in 2022.
Nobody embodied the turnaround more than Luka Modrić.
At 40 years old. the midfielder spent more than 90 minutes running up and down the pitch. turning what could have been an exit into a statement that his World Cup career isn’t ready to end. He was joined in the midfield by Mateo Kovačić (111 caps) and Ivan Perišić (156 caps). with Croatia deploying three stalwarts whose combined age reached 109.
The manager. Zlatko Dalić. also reshaped the lineup in a way that carried a clear message: if Croatia were going to survive. this was the group that would do it. Modrić had 200 caps. Kovačić 111. and Perišić 156. with Perišić playing an unfamiliar left back role in place of Josko Gvardiol. the normal starter.
Those choices produced Croatia’s best performance of the tournament and brought optimism that this group can make another deep run.
Croatia’s day opened with slow build-up rather than instant fireworks. After early uncertainty, Nikola Vlasić created the first real opportunity in the 17th minute, striking from outside the box. His shot beat Ghana goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, but it glanced off the far post. Croatia came close again at 21 minutes after a set piece: Modrić found defender Marin Pongracic in the box. but Pongracic’s header sailed well over the bar.
Then, with a game that desperately needed a goal to break the tension, Luka Sučić delivered in the 31st minute.
Sučić scored with an effort described as an almost carbon copy of Vlasić’s earlier strike — this time from a few feet further away. Instead of hitting the post, the ball went through the legs of Ghana defender Marvin Senaya and curled into the far corner, putting Croatia ahead 1-0.
The second half changed the tempo, but Ghana still had the benefit of qualification already secured. Even so, it pushed to avoid finishing third in the group, and it created early chances after the break, with Antoine Semenyo and substitute Fatawu Issahaku both threatening.
Croatia was rewarded with an opening — and then tested when Ghana equalized.
In the 73rd minute, a set-piece cross from Ernest Nuamah was volleyed in by Derrick Luckassen. The goal was initially ruled offside. but referee Drew Fisher went to the pitchside monitor and reversed the decision. confirming the strike was good. The ruling sparked tense moments for Croatia in the closing stages.
Modrić stepped in to quiet them.
His outswinging corner found Nikola Vlasić at the penalty spot, and Vlasić’s header put Croatia back ahead, restoring the 2-1 advantage. It also meant Modrić became the oldest man to register an assist at the World Cup.
The final stretch still required effort. Croatia kept pressing, but Modrić wasn’t just managing the moment — he was physically exhausting himself for it.
In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Modrić made a key tackle and shot block in the box. He added another tackle with one minute left, squeezing everything out of his body to ensure his team advanced.
Afterward, Sučić framed it as a matter of character and belief.
“That’s his character and his energy,” Sučić said. “He was to be substituted a couple of times. But he was getting better and better. He knows this is his last World Cup, and he is trying to leave with his best impression.”
Teammates and fans reacted as well, cheering with every effort as Croatia’s greatest player seemed to defy the idea that time ends careers.
Sučić also said Modrić looked younger in action.
“I told him after the game, you playing like you’re 20,” Sučić said. “He was incredible today. He runs a lot. He going very well. He was so good with the ball. He’s our leader, our best player, and we are so happy that he can lead us in this World Cup. He can play until he wants.”
Croatia’s win also came with a broader tournament backdrop. The 2026 World Cup has already set a new attendance benchmark, with 3,605,357 fans surpassing the previous record set during the FIFA World Cup USA 1994.
Croatia’s celebration, though, won’t last long.
Next up is a trip to Toronto for a round of 32 showdown in five days, with Croatia set to face either Portugal or Colombia on July 2.
Sulic urged restraint after the job was done.
“This is only a small step forward, getting to the knockouts,” Sulic said. “We will not be euphoric about today and will look ahead..”
He added: “We need to forget this and go back to the camp and prepare for the match.”
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