Ante Budimir guided Croatia to a 1-0 win over a stubborn Panama side in their World Cup Group L clash on Tuesday, giving the ​Balkan side a crucial three points and eliminating the Central Americans on a ‌night where the stakes were high for both sides.

Croatia and Panama came into the match looking for their first points of the tournament and knowing that a loss would send them home early after England and ​Ghana drew 0-0 earlier in the other game in the section.

Toronto Stadium was ​painted red, white and blue -- the colours of both countries' flags -- on ⁠a windy evening by Lake Ontario. Croatia's faithful serenaded attendees with a moving ​rendition of Hrvatski Band Aid's "Moja domovina" rally song before kickoff, setting the tone for a ​lively match.

Croatia finally found a way past Panama's organised back line in the second half when Marco Pasalic played a clever backheel to Josip Stanisic, who skipped forward and swung a cross into the box ​that Budimir guided home to put Croatia ahead and send their wall of fans ​behind the goal into a frenzy.

They nearly added another when Pasalic was played in all alone, ‌though ⁠he could not beat goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera and then sent the rebound skyward.

Both teams went toe-to-toe in a physical midfield battle but it was Panama who gave Croatia plenty of scares in the opening period with their pace down the wings as Jose Luis Rodriguez and Amir Murillo ​sent crosses into the box, though ​no one connected.

The ⁠victory was a sweet finale on a special night for 40-year-old Croatia midfield maestro Luka Modric, who made his 200th international appearance and was thrown ​in the air by his teammates to mark the achievement ​at the ⁠end of the match.

While Panama have been eliminated, they still have a lot to play for in their final group-stage match as they continue to search for their first ⁠win ​at a World Cup, though it is a ​difficult ask against Group L leaders England.

Croatia face second-placed Ghana, who are level on four points with England, in their final ​group match.

Source: Reuters

--Agencies