**Manchester City’s Croatian duo both featured prominently in Croatia’s narrow victory over Panama to qualify for the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup on Tuesday night.**
**[Croatia](https://cityxtra.co.uk/39787/croatia-medical-chief-offers-update-on-manchester-citys-josko-gvardiol-and-mateo-kovacic/)** kept their **World Cup** dreams alive in Group L with a vital 1-0 victory over **Panama** in **Toronto**, picking up their first points of the tournament and setting up a mammoth clash on Saturday with **Ghana** to decide their final positioning in the group.
**Zlatko Dalić’s** side know that a win against Ghana – who fought out a scoreless draw with England earlier in the day – will officially book their ticket to the round of 32 in a strong position.
The decisive moment arrived nine minutes after the interval when second-half substitute **Ante Budimir** netted the only goal, a result that mathematically eliminated a resilient Panama side following their second consecutive defeat.
The first half had proved to be a frustrating, scoreless affair for the 2018 finalists, who frequently struggled to contain Panama’s explosive speed on the counter-attack.
Dalić responded to the sluggish performance by shifting his tactical blueprint at half-time with two aggressive, attack-minded substitutions at the expensive of **[Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol](https://cityxtra.co.uk/48380/truth-behind-josko-gvardiols-manchester-city-uncertainty-as-new-contract-agreed/)**. The gamble paid immediate dividends when Osasuna forward Budimir found space at the back post to guide home a precise, low delivery from **Josip Stanišić**.
The match held immense historical significance for Croatia captain **Luka Modrić**, who celebrated his landmark 200th international appearance with a crucial victory. The legendary 40-year-old midfielder, who was given a standing ovation when substituted in the 81st minute, becomes only the fourth male footballer in history to reach the double-century cap milestone.
Panama pushed desperately for an equaliser to salvage their campaign, but they were repeatedly denied by an inspired **Dominik Livaković**, with the Croatian goalkeeper producing a spectacular flurry of saves during a chaotic goalmouth scramble.
45 Minutes38 Touches23 Accurate Passes79% Pass Accuracy4 Recoveries3 Clearances3 Ground Duels Won2 Was Fouled1 Tackle1 Headed Clearance1 Pass Into Final Third
1 Touch In Opposition Box
72 Minutes71 Touches60 Accurate Passes97% Pass Accuracy6 Passes Into Final Third2 Tackles2 Ground Duels Won1 Recovery
1 Interception
**Data courtesy of FotMob.**