Panama 0-1 Croatia — World Cup

World Cup
Panama
0
Final
1
Croatia
Full time

Luka Modrić just entered the most exclusive club in football history — and sent Panama packing in the process.

Croatia captain Luka Modrić celebrated his historic 200th international cap with a vital 1-0 victory that officially eliminated Panama.

At 40 years old, Modrić became only the fourth male player in football history to reach 200 caps. But Croatia had no time to celebrate milestones after their opening-day defeat. They needed a hero, and they found one in substitute striker . In the 54th minute, Budimir tapped in a low cross from after Panama goalkeeper failed to intercept the ball. Panama fought back fiercely, but Croatia goalkeeper made a stunning late double save against to seal the win and keep Croatia's tournament alive.

— and get this
marked his historic 200th cap by helping Croatia eliminate Panama in the first-ever meeting between the two nations.
was Panama's tormentor, tipping a José Rodríguez header onto the crossbar before pulling off a late double-save against .
With this defeat, Panama remains completely pointless in World Cup history, having lost all five of their matches across the 2018 and 2026 tournaments.