WORLD CUP
Men’s World Cup
Croatia reaches World Cup knockout round of 32 after defeat of Ghana | Recap, highlights
John LeuzziErick SmithUSA TODAY
Updated June 27, 2026, 7:57 p.m. ET
PHILADELPHIA — Croatia will extend its stay in the 2026 World Cup
In large part due to Nikola Vlasic’s header off a corner kick in the 83rd minute, Croatia walked out with a 2-1 victory against Ghana at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, June 27 to return to the knockout round for the third consecutive tournament
The win for Croatia — paired with England’s simultaneous win over Panama in North Jersey — made the Vatreni the second place (i.e. runner-up) team in the Group L standings.
Saturday’s result for Ghana still keeps the Black Stars in the knockout round, as they clinched their spot as a third-place team late Friday night based on yesterday’s World Cup scores
Inter Milan midfielder Petar Sučic scored the match’s first goal in the 31st minute on a strike from near the top of the 18-yard box.
Ghana scored a brief equalizer in the 73rd minute when Derrick Luckassen tapped in a cross from Ernest Nuamah. It was initially ruled offside before lead referee Drew Fisher went to the pitchside monitor following VAR. The offside player for Ghana did not interfere, the referee said, and the goal stood
USA TODAY Sports provided live score, updates and highlights of Saturday’s World Cup match between Ghana and Croatia. Follow below for a recap:
Croatia vs. Ghana highlights
Croatia vs Ghana World Cup live score
- Croatia: 2
- Ghana: 1
Croatia holds off Ghana
FULL TIME! Croatia pulls off a 2-1 win over Ghana at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, and it has its spot in the knockout round. Nikola Vlasic scored the game-winner for Croatia in the 83rd minute
Croatia back in front after Nikola Vlasic goal
And just like that, Croatia is back in front. Mario Pasalic had his strike arrowing for the top of the goal saved by Ghana keeper Benjamin Asare, resulting in a corner. Luka Modric delivered a perfect ball into the box, and Nikola Vlasic headed it past Asare in the 83rd minute
The goal puts Croatia up 2-1 and back into second place in Group L. Ghana still will qualify, but as the third-place team in the group
Ghana has equalized against Croatia
Ghana made two more substitutions at the water beak. Brandon Thomas-Asante of Coventry City entered to provide goal scoring in place of Jordan Ayew. Ernest Nuamah replaced Kamaldeen Sulemana
The change provided immediate results in the 73rd minute. A cross from Ernest Nuamah was put in by Derrick Luckassen. It was initially ruled offside before referee Drew Fisher went to the pitchside monitor. It was deemed the offside player for Ghana did not interfere and the goal stood
There’s now some drama for Croatia. The 2022 semifinalists are now in third place in the group and another goal allowed would likely knock it out of the tournament
Croatia, Ghana reach the water break in the second half
We’ve reached the water break in the second half with Croatia ahead 1-0. The result along with England’s 2-0 lead on Panama means Croatia is second in Group L and Ghana in third with both qualifying for the knockout rounds. The match has opened up with Ghana seeking an equalizer and some tense moments with players upset at non-calls. Ivan Perisic was issued a yellow card for his tackle on a Ghana player just before the stoppage.
Now we have a game in Philadelphia
The listless first half has given way to some excitement in the second 45 with Ghana continue to play more aggressively and Croatia looking for counter opportunities while defending. Luka Modric at the age of 40 is running all across the field, providing a key block on a cross in the box and later battling to win a loose ball in the final third
A goal by England’s Jude Bellingham was updated on the main scoreboard, eliciting boos from the crown. That development puts England at the top of the group and pushes Croatia down to second
Ghana comes out with more aggression in second half
With its position in Group L dropping to third place, Ghana made two changes at halftime to try and push for a goal. Fatawu Issahaku has entered the match in place of Elisha Owusu in the forward line. Ghana also replaced defender Jonas Adjetey with Kojo Peprah Oppong
The moves provided some help in the first five minutes after intermission. Fatawu saw his strike sail just over the bar, and Antoine Semenyo narrowly missed getting on the end of a cross in front of the net. It remains 1-0 in favor of Croatia
Croatia goes to halftime with a 1-0 lead on Ghana
It was an uneventful first half before Petar Sucic’s goal in the 31st minute put Croatia in the lead and atop the Group L with England drawing its match with Panama at intermission. Croatia, which entered the game in third place and in need of at least a draw to advance, took the initiative to create chances early
Ghana – already qualified for the knockouts – was content to hold the ball and avoid any risks. Its approach changed after the Sucic goal with Antoine Semenyo registering its first and only shot in the 40th minute. That was about it for chances in a cagey first 45 minutes that will hopefully set the stage for a more dramatic finish
Croatia takes early lead
Croatia’s aggressiveness is rewarded in the 31st minute. Petar Sucic puts a great strike on the ball from outside the 18-yard box, and it finds the back of the net to give Croatia the early 1-0 lead. The stands are shaking just outside the press box
First hydration break reached
We’ve reached the first half’s hydration break, and the boos immediately come out from the fans. It’s been a rather even match so far between both teams across the first 25 minutes, but Croatia has picked it up over the last few minutes as it tries to break the score
Croatia has two shots on net in the last seven minutes. Ghana, meanwhile, is still in search of its first shot on goal
Croatia can’t capitalize on free kick opportunity
Luke Modric puts a good foot on a free kick in front of Ghana’s bench, but Marin Pongracic’s header isn’t in line for the game’s first goal as it sails above the crossbar. Croatia certainly has the more aggressive team in the last couple of minutes of play, and it’s been rewarded with some solid opportunities on net
Noah Kahan in attendance for Croatia-Ghana
Fresh off his sold-out concert across the street at Citizens Bank Park, American folk-pop singer-songwriter Noah Kahan is in attendance for Saturday’s World Cup match between Ghana and Croatia. Not a bad way to spend an off day while on tour!
Croatia shot hits post
We’ve got the game’s first shot on net, coming in the 17th minute. Croatia moves the ball upfield and strings together a few give-and-go passes before Nikola Vlasic receives a pass above the 18-yard box and fires off a shot. Vlasic nearly has the game’s first goal, but his shot hits the far post
Ghana not pushing ball up field
Ghana has opened the first 11 minutes with a relaxed look on the attack, as the Black Stars haven’t pushed the ball upfield and have instead played it where it lands. Both teams are taking no risks so far, with neither having recorded a shot on net
Croatia pass back nearly costed goal
Oh, that could have been messy! A member of Croatia’s backline passes back the ball to goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, and the pass was barely above the goal line. Livakovic would eventually clear it, but Ghana nearly saw Croatia give up an own goal
Croatia-Ghana underway
We’re underway in Philadelphia between Croatia and Ghana. It was Croatia that opened the first half with the ball and the opening possession. Croatia is looking to extend its stay in the 2026 World Cup with a win or a draw in the match
Pre-match ceremonies underway
We’re underway with the pre-match ceremonies here in Philadelphia. Both teams are standing in the tunnel, and awaiting the clearance to walk out onto the pitch. We’re almost ready for Group L play at Lincoln Financial Field!
Croatia lineup today
Here’s Croatia’s starting lineup vs Ghana today at the World Cup:
- Goalkeeper: Dominik Livakovic
- Defenders: Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongracic and Josip Sutalo
- Midfielders: Matteo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Nikola Vlasic, Martin Baturina and Petar Sucic
- Forwards: Ante Budimir and Ivan Perisic
Full rosters for 2026 World Cup teams
Ghana lineup today
Here’s Ghana’s starting lineup vs Croatia today at the World Cup:
- Goalkeeper: Benjamin Asare
- Defenders: Jonas Adjetey, Gideon Mensah, Derrick Luckassen and Marvin Senaya
- Midfielders: Thomas Partey, Kwasi Sibo, Antoine Semenyo and Elisha Owusu
- Forwards: Jordan Ayew and Kamaldeen Sulemana
What time does Croatia vs Ghana start?
The matchup kicks off at 5:00 PM ET
Where to watch Croatia vs Ghana
The game is airing on FS1, but you can also watch on Fubo or the Fox One App . Spanish broadcasts are available on Telemundo and Peacock
Watch every World Cup game with Fubo
Croatia vs Ghana weather forecast
It’s still raining in Philadelphia, though it seems the heavy rain is all over. The forecast still calls for rain over the next two hours, but it should clear by the time Croatia and Ghana kick off at 5 p.m. ET
Here’s an hour-by-hour breakdown of the weather forecast in Philadelphia:
- 3 p.m.: Rain (66% chance of rain)
- 4 p.m.: Rain (64% chance of rain)
- 5 p.m.: Cloudy (40% chance of rain)
- 6 p.m.: Mostly Cloudy (34% chance of rain)
Teams leave pitch after warmups
Both teams have left the pitch after 20-plus minutes of warming up. Croatia fans are still enjoying themselves in the stands as one of their nation’s songs plays over the speakers following the introduction of the Vatreni’s starting lineup for the match
Oh! The rain has stopped too!
Croatia vs Ghana expert predictions
Seth Vertelney: Croatia 0-0 Ghana
A draw would probably suit both teams and Ghana has been ultra defensive at this tournament. This could be a low-scoring (or no-scoring) affair
Jon Arnold: Croatia 2-0 Ghana
Croatia has the wile to break through Ghana’s great wall, forcing Carlos Queiroz’s side to try and play and leading to at least one more
Jesse Yomtov: Croatia 1-0 Ghana
Croatia finishes with six points against a Ghana team that has proven tough to break down
Victoria Hernandez: Croatia 2-1 Ghana
Ghana will be feeling good after keeping England to a scoreless draw, but Croatia wants the win more to advance out of the group stage yet again
Croatia vs Ghana odds
Ghana takes pitch for warmups
We’re underway with pre-match warmups on the pitch. Ghana is the first country to step onto the pitch and the Black Stars are welcomed to a roar from their fans who have been weathering the storm in the stands with their ponchos and rain jackets
Is Croatia playing for anything today in the World Cup?
Yes. Croatia is looking to secure a spot in the knockout round. Should Croatia finish in a draw or defeat Ghana on Saturday, the Vatreni would almost certainly advance to the next round of the 2026 World Cup. A Croatia win would drop Ghana to the third-place spot in the standings
Is Ghana playing for anything today in the World Cup?
Not really. Ghana has officially clinched its spot in the knockout round of the 2026 World Cup. That said, Ghana’s actual seeding from Group L remains loose. Should England beat Panama on Saturday, a Ghana win or a draw against Croatia would make the Black Stars the group’s runners-up. Should England fall to Panama, it would create a possibility for Ghana to win the group, depending on the outcome of the Black Stars’ game against Croatia.
Croatia walks onto the pitch
We’re starting to see both teams arrive at the stadium and walk onto the pitch to get acclimated to today’s weather conditions. First to step onto the pitch is Croatia
Ghana fans partying in rain
The rain is not stopping Ghana fans from enjoying themselves before Saturday’s match against Croatia! The Black Stars fans gathered in nearby FDR in the Sports Complex and walked over. Their crowd was so big that local police had to shut down Broad Street for a few minutes to let them cross the street
Ghana World Cup ranking
Ghana is No. 65 in the latest FIFA rankings
Croatia World Cup ranking
Croatia is No. 13 in the latest FIFA rankings
Where is Croatia vs Ghana game?
The Group L match is being held at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia
World Cup Group L standings
- *England 1-1-0 (+2) – 4 points
- *Ghana 1-1-0 (+1) – 4 points
- Croatia 1-0-1 (-1) – 3 points
- Panama 0-0-2 (-2) – 0 points
World Cup Group L schedule
(All times Eastern)
World Cup standings
Explore live group standings, stats and the updated bracket with USA TODAY Sports here
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