Luka Modric’s 200th appearance for Croatia ended in a 1-0 victory over Panama as they kept their World Cup campaign alive.
Substitute Ante Budimir supplied the decisive touch, grabbing the only goal early in the second half as Panama’s hopes of qualification were ended.
A tight first half produced few openings, Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic stretching to tip Jose Luis Rodriguez’s header onto the bar although the ball was adjudged to have crossed the line before Amir Murillo’s cross.
Croatia enjoyed plenty of possession, but uncharacteristically gave it away and allowed Panama to look threatening on the break with Murillo making a dangerous run into the box.
The first shot on target arrived in the first minute of stoppage time, Orlando Mosquera turning Martin Baturina’s low drive from 25 yards around the post.
Their next opening nine minutes into the second half proved decisive, Josip Stanisic delivering a wonderful cross which Budimir steered in at the far post.
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A through ball from Modric released Marco Pasalic from halfway as Croatia broke from a Panama corner, but Mosquera stood tall and the striker was unable to turn in the rebound from a tight angle.
Livakovic made two quick saves from Murillo and pushed Carlos Harvey’s header over the bar as Panama pressed for an equaliser, but their efforts petered out as Croatia were able to see out the victory.
Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic said he was glad to win Modric’s landmark match.
“To be honest, I didn’t expect it to be this difficult,” he said. “We didn’t react the best, maybe that was due to the pressure as we really needed these three points.”
His opposite number Thomas Christiansen said his side had gone “toe-to-toe” with their opponents, but accepted “that’s just how football goes”.
“They had one clear chance and scored it,” he said. “The truth is that they did not create too much danger against us.”
