Croatia 2-1 Ghana: Croatia wins.
Ghana currently holds the advantage with 4 points and second place, while Croatia must work hard to overcome a narrow 1-point gap in their 2026 World Cup group.
- 0'The match has started.
Croatia hosts Ghana.
- 31'GOAL! Croatia (1-0)
31st minute:P. Sucic(Croatia) scored (assist: M. Kovacic). Score: 1 - 0.
- 45'End of the first half
At the end of the first half, the score was 1-0.
- 46'The second half has begun.
The second half has begun.
- 46'Substitution
46th minute (Ghana): J. Adjetey comes on to replace K. Peprah.
- 46'Substitution
46th minute (Ghana): E. Owusu comes on to replace I. Fatawu.
- 66'Substitution
66th minute (Croatia): A. Budimir comes on to replace I. Matanovic.
- 68'Yellow card
68th minute: I. Perisic (Croatia) receives a yellow card (Roughing).
- 71'Substitution
71st minute (Ghana): J. Ayew comes on as a substitute for B. Thomas-Asante.
- 71'Substitution
71st minute (Ghana): K. Sulemana comes on to replace E. Nuamah.
- 73'GOAL! Ghana (1-1)
73rd minute:D. Luckassen(Ghana) scored (assist: E. Nuamah). Score: 1 - 1.
- 78'Substitution
78th minute (Croatia): M. Kovacic comes on to replace M. Pasalic.
- 83'GOAL! Croatia (2-1)
83rd minute:N. Classic(Croatia) scored (assist: L. Modric). Score: 2 - 1.
- 85'Substitution
85th minute (Ghana): K. Sibo comes on to replace C. Yirenkyi.
- 88'Substitution
88th minute (Croatia): M. Baturina comes on to replace M. Pasalic.
- 88'Substitution
88th minute (Croatia): N. Vlasic comes on to replace J. Gvardiol.
- 90+4'Yellow card
90+4th minute: K. Peprah (Ghana) receives a yellow card (Tripping).
- KTFinal score: Croatia 2-1 Ghana
The match ended with a score of 2-1.
Updated at 06:00 on June 28, 2026
The clash between Croatia and Ghana at Lincoln Financial Field at 4:00 AM on June 28, 2026, is a do-or-die match. With the 2026 World Cup group stage reaching its crucial stages, both teams understand that a small mistake could cost them their place in the knockout round.
The group standings and the pressure of points.
Currently, Ghana holds the advantage in the standings, sitting in second place with 4 points after two matches. Meanwhile, the European representative, Croatia, is right behind in third place with 3 points. The difference is only 1 point, making this match a direct confrontation to determine the final ranking.
With four points in hand, Ghana only needs a draw to maintain their advantage over their direct competitor. Conversely, Croatia is in a desperate situation and must aim for a victory to determine their own fate, rather than waiting for the results of other matches.
Analyzing contrasting performance
Ghana enters this match feeling quite relaxed thanks to their unbeaten run. In their last two matches, the African team has secured one win and one draw. This consistency shows that Ghana is well-prepared in terms of gameplay and ability to withstand pressure against stronger opponents.
On the other side of the battlefield, Croatia is showing inconsistent form. The checkered-shirted team had an important victory, but then suffered a defeat in their most recent match. This inability to maintain consistency has put Croatia in a difficult position and forced them to focus all their efforts on the game at Lincoln Financial Field.
Analysis of tactics and playing style
Based on the current situation, Ghana is likely to opt for a pragmatic approach. With their superior physical fitness and high morale from their unbeaten run, they may proactively cede possession to their opponents and wait for opportunities from quick counter-attacks. This is a sensible strategy given their current points advantage.
Croatia, with their technically gifted style of play, will undoubtedly strive to control possession and impose their game from the start. However, their biggest challenge will be how to break through Ghana's solid defense while simultaneously ensuring safety in their own half against the opponent's speedy players. Impatience could be a double-edged sword for Croatia in a match they absolutely must win.
Croatia's recent form
- June 24, 2026: Panama 0-1 Croatia (Winner)
- June 18, 2026: England 4-2 Croatia (Loss)
- 08/06/2026: Croatia 2-1 Slovenia (Winner)
- June 2, 2026: Croatia 0-2 Belgium (Loss)
- April 1, 2026: Brazil 3-1 Croatia (Lose)
Ghana's recent form
- June 24, 2026: England 0-0 Ghana (Draw)
- June 18, 2026: Ghana 1-0 Panama (Winner)
- 03/06/2026: Wales 1-1 Ghana (Draw)
- May 23, 2026: Mexico 2-0 Ghana (Loss)
- March 31, 2026: Germany 2-1 Ghana (Loss)
Rankings
| Team | Location | Point | form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghana | 2 | 4 | DW |
| Croatia | 3 | 3 | WL |
Team form and statistics
Croatia (Host)
Form in the last 5 matches:L!
Statistics for this season:
- Matches played: 2
- Wins: 1 (0 at home)
- Draw: 0 (0 at home)
- Losses: 1 (0 at home)
Goal:
- Scored: 3 goals (Average: 1.5 goals/match)
- Goals conceded: 4 goals (Average: 2.0 goals/match)
Ghana (Guest)
Form in the last 5 matches:WD
Statistics for this season:
- Matches played: 2
- Wins: 1 (0 away)
- Draw: 1 (1 away game)
- Losses: 0 (0 away games)
Goal:
- Scored: 1 goal (Average: 0.5 goals/match)
- Goals conceded: 0 (Average: 0.0 goals/match)
Force situation
Croatia:No injury information available.
Ghana:No injury information available.
Predicted lineup
Predictions and odds
Predicted winner:Croatia
Win or draw
Predicted odds:
- Home team wins: 35%
- Draw: 35%
- Guest wins: 30%
Predicted number of goals:
- Home team: -2.5 goals
- Guest: -1.5 table
Advice:Combo Double chance : Croatia or draw and -3.5 goals
Team lineup updated at 03:25 on 28/06/2026
Official lineup
Croatia
Diagram: 4-2-3-1
CoachZlatko Dalic
Starting lineup:
- 1. Dominik Livaković (G)
- 2. Josip Stanišić (D)
- 6. Josip Šutalo (D)
- 3. Marin Pongračić (D)
- 14. Ivan Perišić (D)
- 10. Luka Modrić (M)
- 8. Mateo Kovačić (M)
- 13. Nikola Vlašić (M)
- 17. Petar Sučić (M)
- 16. Martin Baturina (M)
- 11. Ante Budimir (F)
Substitutes:
- 23. Dominik Kotarski
- 12. Ivor Pandur
- 5. Duje Ćaleta-Car
- 4. Joško Gvardiol
- 22. Luka Vušković
- 25. Martin Erlić
- 18. Kristijan Jakić
- 21. Luka Sučić
- 24. Marco Pašalić
- 15. Mario Pašalić
- 7. Nikola Moro
- 19. Toni Fruk
- 9. Andrej Kramarić
- 20. Igor Matanović
- 26. Petar Musa
Ghana
Diagram: 4-3-3
CoachCarlos Queiroz
Starting lineup:
- 16. Benjamin Asare (G)
- 26. Marvin Senaya (D)
- 4. Jonas Adjei Adjetey (D)
- 23. Derrick Luckassen (D)
- 14. Gideon Mensah (D)
- 5. Thomas Partey (M)
- 15. Elisha Owusu (M)
- 8. Kwasi Sibo (M)
- 22. Kamaldeen Sulemana (F)
- 9. Jordan Ayew (F)
- 11. Antoine Semenyo (F)
Substitutes:
- 1. Lawrence Ati Zigi
- 12. Joseph Anang
- 2. Alidu Seidu
- 6. Abdul Mumin
- 17. Rahman Baba
- 18. Jerome Opoku
- 21. Kojo Peprah Oppong
- 3. Caleb Yirenkyi
- 7. Abdul Fatawu Issahaku
- 13. Christopher Baah
- 19. Iñaki Williams
- 20. Augustine Boakye
- 10. Brandon Thomas-Asante
- 24. Ernest Nuamah
- 25. Prince Kwabena Adu
