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France 24
France 24
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FRANCE 24

World Cup 2026: Budimir strike gives Croatia vital win over Panama

Croatia Ante Budimir Panama World Cup Marco Pasalic the World Cup
Panama's Jose Cordoba (3) and Croatia's Marco Pasalic (24) vie for the ball during the World Cup Group L soccer match between Panama and Croatia.
Panama's Jose Cordoba (3) and Croatia's Marco Pasalic (24) vie for the ball during the World Cup Group L soccer match between Panama and Croatia in Toronto on June 23, 2026. © Stephanie Scarbrough, AP

Croatia secured their first points of the World Cup on Tuesday with a narrow 1-0 win over Panama, courtesy of a second-half strike from substitute Ante Budimir, a result that eliminated the Central American side from Group L contention.

Panama were eliminated from World Cup contention after Croatia kept their hopes of progressing to the last 32 alive with a hard-fought 1-0 win on Tuesday.

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