Panama vs Croatia

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Anibal Godoy

PanamaHome

Tackle (1+)

5/10

Anibal Godoy brings experience and craft to Panama's midfield, reading early where the ball will land. Against Croatia's passing, at least one challenge from him to cut things off is likely.

Notes are written in the team's original language. If you use the translation feature, we recommend verifying the information independently.

Petar Sucic

CroatiaAway

To Be Fouled (1+)

6/10

Petar Sucic likes to drop deep to receive and move the ball with quick touches between the lines. When he tries to play out of pressure, the Panamanians often stop him with a foul.

To Be Fouled (1+)

6/10

Shifted out wide, Sucic attacks the byline with tight dribbling and sudden bursts of pace. To curb his runs, the Panama defenders will frequently resort to a foul.

Notes are written in the team's original language. If you use the translation feature, we recommend verifying the information independently.

Igor Matanovic

CroatiaAway

Shot (1+)

6/10

Igor Matanovic is a striker who attacks the box decisively and goes for goal the moment the ball drops his way. With Croatia in charge of the game, a shot from him is a natural outcome.

Notes are written in the team's original language. If you use the translation feature, we recommend verifying the information independently.

Marin Pongracic

CroatiaAway

Foul Committed (1+)

6/10

Marin Pongracic commands the Croatian defence and shoulders the roughest duels with opposing strikers. In those shoulder-to-shoulder battles, a challenge of his ruled a foul is a frequent outcome.

Notes are written in the team's original language. If you use the translation feature, we recommend verifying the information independently.

Panama

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Home

LCM

Anibal Godoy

RCM

LCB

RCB

Croatia

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Away

Petar Sucic

Igor Matanovic

LCM

Petar Sucic

RCM

Marin Pongracic

RCB

Team Notes

Analyst

Jun 24

Panama vs Croatia, a knockout-style clash in Group L In Group L at the 2026 World Cup, Panama and Croatia both arrive on zero points, which turns their meeting into a sort of early playoff. Panama lost 1-0 to Ghana, undone by a Yirenkyi goal deep in stoppage time after a hard-fought game in which they paid for a lack of attacking threat. Croatia, by contrast, came off second best in a spectacular 4-2 loss to England: the Qatar 2022 runners-up showed quality up front, with goals from Baturina and Musa, but also a defence in deep trouble. Whoever loses risks elimination. The tip under review is a Croatia win, favoured on experience and technical quality, despite all the limits shown in their opener. Croatian experience against Panama's organisation Croatia remain a nation of great tradition and talent, especially in midfield, but the 4-2 in London confirmed doubts over defensive durability and the age of some key men. Up front, though, they have the means to hurt any opponent. Panama rely on compactness, competitiveness and counters, but against Ghana they struggled to threaten and will need to find something more in attack. Both, off a defeat and needing to win, should field their strongest side; the final choices are to be confirmed close to kick-off. A new fixture Panama and Croatia have no significant precedents: this is essentially a new meeting at the top level. With no history, the read leans on the quality gap and the urgency of a game that is worth both sides' World Cup. The verdict: Croatia favoured, but they must tighten the defence A Croatia win is the most likely outcome, backed by a higher technical level and greater familiarity with games that matter. I'd put it around 57%. The caveat, though, is essential: the defence seen against England is a warning sign, and Panama, organised and combative, are the kind of opponent who can pounce on an off night. The most plausible scenario sees Croatia impose their midfield quality and break the game open, but with a real risk of a tighter contest than expected if the Central Americans keep it locked. The confidence stays fair, conditioned precisely by Croatia's defensive uncertainties.

Notes are written in the team's original language. If you use the translation feature, we recommend verifying the information independently.

Panama vs Croatia

Panama vs Croatia

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