Vea cómo Samir Toplak vivía el partido de Croacia en el estudio

The Croatian national team secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Ghana in their final group match of the 2026 World Cup, ensuring their second-place finish in Group L and setting up a Round of 16 clash against Portugal. The win was hard-fought, with Croatia scoring through Petar Sučić and Nikola Vlašić, while Ghana's lone goal came from Derrick Luckassen. This result marked a crucial step forward for Croatia, who will now face Portugal in Toronto on July 3rd, where the match is scheduled to take place at 1 AM local time at the BMO Field stadium.

Croatia’s performance against Ghana highlighted several key moments, none more notable than the contribution of captain Luka Modrić. At 40 years old, Modrić delivered a standout performance, playing his third game of the tournament and reaching a total of 201 caps for his country. His previous matches had been less impactful, particularly after a heavy defeat to England and a narrow win over Panama. However, this encounter proved to be a turning point for him, earning praise from both media outlets and analysts alike.

One of the most impressive aspects of Modrić’s play was his ability to adapt to an unexpected position. In the 96th minute, he found himself on the left flank, a role far removed from his usual central midfield duties. It was here that he faced a significant challenge when 18-year-old Ghanaian winger Ernest Nuamah attempted to beat him one-on-one. Despite being placed in an unfamiliar situation, Modrić reacted brilliantly, using a sliding start to halt Nuamah’s advance. This moment was widely praised, with HRT commentator Luka Petrinčić describing Modrić as “unbeatable tonight in Philadelphia.”

Modrić also made history during the match, becoming the oldest player ever to provide an assist at a World Cup. His pass to Vlašić for the winning goal saw him surpass the previous record holder, marking a remarkable achievement in his career. This feat has been noted by international media, including Italian and Spanish outlets, which have highlighted his impact on the game.

The emotional intensity of the match was further underscored by the presence of former Croatian coach Samir Toplak in the studio of HRT, the national television broadcaster. Toplak experienced the game alongside journalist Sanja Žiger Frljuk, reacting passionately to each goal and moment of tension. His emotional responses were captured in video footage, showing how deeply invested he was in Croatia’s performance. Toplak celebrated every Croatian goal with enthusiasm and expressed frustration whenever Ghana threatened to equalize, reflecting the high stakes of the match.

As Croatia prepares for its upcoming fixture against Portugal, attention will focus on whether they can maintain their momentum. The match against Portugal will be a pivotal test for Croatia, especially given Modrić’s recent form and leadership on the field. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Croatia can continue their successful campaign and progress further into the knockout stages of the tournament.