FIFA World Cup 2026: Croatia leapfrog Ghana with battling win

Petar Sucic and Nikola Vlasic were the goalscoring heroes as Croatia beat Ghana to leapfrog the already-qualified Black Stars into second spot in Group L.

Zlatko Dalic’s side could have qualified as one of the best third-placed teams by playing out a draw, but signalled their desire for a win from the first whistle.

The warning signs were there for Carlos Queiroz’s side as early as the 17th minute, when Vlasic found space 20 yards from goal and clipped the outside of the post with a powerful right-foot shot.

It was certainly no more than Croatia deserved when they took the head just after the half-hour, with Sucic crashing a stunning 30-yard drive through a couple of attempted blocks and just inside the left-hand post.

Ghana were offering little at the other end at this stage, with Antoine Semenyo – who fired narrowly wide as half-time approached – their only real source of attacking menace.

The Black Stars improved significantly in the second half, however, and their pressure was rewarded 17 minutes from time when Derrick Luckassen snuck in at a free-kick to side-foot home the equaliser.

But having profited from poor marking at one end, Ghana paid for it at the other ten minutes later when Vlasic stole in unmarked at a Luka Modric corner to head home the winner off the inside of the left-hand post. (FIFA)