Croatia Ends Clean Sheet Drought and History Does Not Favor Them
The Croatian national team succeeded in keeping a clean sheet for the first time in the World Cup since their goalless draw against Belgium (0-0) in the final round of the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, after defeating Panama 1-0 in the second round of the 2026 World Cup.
The victory came thanks to a goal by striker Ante Budimir in the second half, granting the "Flames" their first three points in the tournament and keeping their hopes alive for advancing to the next round before the final match against Ghana.
On the other hand, Croatia's World Cup record is not reassuring, as this is the third time in its World Cup history that it has started the group stage with a win and a loss after the first two matches. In the previous two instances, during the 2002 and 2014 editions, the Croatian team failed to advance beyond the group stage and exited the tournament early.
Despite this historical fact, Croatia still holds its fate in its own hands, as coach Zlatko Dalic's men will enter the final match against Ghana needing a positive result to reach the knockout stages and continue their journey in the tournament.
The victory came thanks to a goal by striker Ante Budimir in the second half, granting the "Flames" their first three points in the tournament and keeping their hopes alive for advancing to the next round before the final match against Ghana.
On the other hand, Croatia's World Cup record is not reassuring, as this is the third time in its World Cup history that it has started the group stage with a win and a loss after the first two matches. In the previous two instances, during the 2002 and 2014 editions, the Croatian team failed to advance beyond the group stage and exited the tournament early.
Despite this historical fact, Croatia still holds its fate in its own hands, as coach Zlatko Dalic's men will enter the final match against Ghana needing a positive result to reach the knockout stages and continue their journey in the tournament.
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