Match Progress
14 mins: The game remains tense with a throw near the corner flag. However, within two passes, possession returns to the halfway line.
12 mins: Neither team has exerted significant pressure yet, so a hydration break seems unnecessary on this mild day. The play resembles a training session focused on avoiding entry into the opposition's penalty area.
Luckassen attempts an ambitious pass, which goes out for a goal-kick.
10 mins: Ayew concedes a free-kick, signaling some intent to show aggression.
Perisic delivers a chipped cross into the box, but Asare comfortably catches it.
8 mins: Both teams appear reluctant to commit players forward. It is likely that centre-backs will dominate passing statistics as possession is maintained at the back.
6 mins: The stadium atmosphere is subdued.
Livakovic hesitates on a backpass and then clears the ball out for a throw-in in a moment of panic.
4 mins: Sutalo attempts a crossfield pass, but it misses its target and goes out for a throw. The match has started in a rather uneventful manner.
2 mins: Croatia is passing the ball casually. Ghana has had minimal possession. A draw may suit both teams, possibly resulting in a cautious 90 minutes.
Zach Neeley comments: “Why wait almost a whole weekend day before starting a triple header? Maybe part of it is their commitment to never starting a match at the same time two days in a row.”
It has been a long day so far.
The Ghanaian team made a notable entrance.
Since Argentina in 1978, only France and Spain have emerged as new World Cup winners, both European nations leveraging their resources and youth development programs. These models influence global academy investments.
For Antoine Semenyo, transitioning from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City to Carlos Queiroz’s Ghana represents a significant change. He has yet to impress but provides a long throw option.
Starting Lineups
Croatia: Livakovic, Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Perisic, Modric, Kovacic, Vlasic, Petar Sucic, Baturina, Budimir
Substitutes: Pandur, Kotarski, Gvardiol, Caleta-Car, Moro, Kramaric, Mario Pasalic, Jakic, Fruk, Matanovic, Luka Sucic, Vuskovic, Marco Pasalic, Erlic, Musa.
Ghana: Asare, Senaya, Adjetey, Luckassen, Mensah, Partey, Owusu, Sibo, Sulemana, Ayew, Semenyo
Substitutes: Ati-Zigi, Anang, Seidu, Yirenkyi, Mumin, Fatawu, Thomas-Asante, Baah, Baba, Opoku, Williams, Boakye, Oppong, Nuamah, Adu.
For those following mainstream coverage, England vs Panama is available with Scott Murray, while John Brewin contributes on Football Daily.
Team Outlook and Quotes
Croatia likely require a draw against Ghana to advance to the last 32. Attacker Ivan Perisic expressed confidence in their record against African teams.
“That’s something that we commented on,” Perisic said. “And we played against many teams in the past 10 years, and all of the results were positive. So I believe that this is going to be the same this time as well, and that we will be playing a very good match, just like we did against the other teams.”
England and Ghana enter the final Group L matchday with four points each, Croatia has three, and Panama is already eliminated. Questions remain whether this Croatian side resembles the team of the last decade. After a 4-2 loss to England, Croatia narrowly defeated Panama 1-0 via Ante Budimir’s 54th-minute goal.
Perisic is 37 years old and captain Luka Modric is 40. Manager Zlatko Dalic acknowledges the team's unfamiliar performances.
“We need to raise the level of our play,” he said through an interpreter. “We’re not what Croatia can be. So we haven’t shown the best we can, but tomorrow is the opportunity to do so. We never made so many mistakes in some of the passes or when we were in the possession of the ball. This is where we had the force and we were really strong, but we seem to be losing the ball easily. We need to be quicker and we need to raise the level of concentration.”
Perisic was uncertain if Ghana would maintain their low-block defensive approach, a hallmark of Carlos Queiroz-managed World Cup teams.
“They are a very good team,” he said. “Very compact. Perhaps they played the lower block in the past two matches. Given that, maybe they might be changing for tomorrow or something, but we have to be ready for both options.
“But yes, we’re focusing on ourselves and our game and what we need to do. And we need to be a lot better than we were in the past two matches.”
Luka Modric has yet to find his rhythm in this tournament. He may receive more time and space against Ghana if they defend deeply as anticipated.
Pre-match analysis is available from Adrian Chiles.
Adrian recently collaborated with ’ Dan Hewitt on the radio.
This match represents the critical contest in the group. It is a winner-takes-all scenario for second place, with Ghana holding a one-point advantage. A draw would suffice for Ghana. Carlos Queiroz is known for his defensive discipline and organization.
Croatia is a capable side when focused, though they have yet to demonstrate this fully, having lost to England and narrowly beaten Panama, aided by goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic’s performance. Luka Modric made his 200th international appearance in the Panama match but requires more support as the 40-year-old cannot manage alone.
The match promises to be compelling.
Kick-off: 10pm BST / 5pm EDT / 7am AEST
Kwasi Sibo battles with Croatia's Petar Sucic. Photograph: Matt Rourke/AP
The Ghana squad sing and dance on the way to the changing rooms. Photograph: Ezra Shaw/FIFA/
People play in the rain outside the stadium. Photograph: Peter Cziborra/
Luka Modric walks from the bus to the stadium. Photograph: Pilar Olivares/
