Croatia finished as runners-up and now meet the Group K runners-up in the Round of 32 in Toronto on July 3 (IST). Ghana have finished third and progressed as one of the best third-placed sides.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Croatia 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 Ghana 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, FIFA reports.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sucic, at 22 years and 245 days, became the second-youngest player to score for Croatia at the FIFA World Cup, after Josko Gvardiol (20 years, 328 days against Morocco in 2022).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ghana were offering little at the other end at this stage, with Antoine Semenyo \u2013 who fired narrowly wide as half-time approached \u2013 their only real source of attacking menace. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ghana were offering little at the other end at this stage, with Antoine Semenyo \u2013 who fired narrowly wide as half-time approached \u2013 their only real source of attacking menace. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Modric has featured in each of Croatia\u2019s last 21 matches on the game\u2019s grandest stage, a sequence that dates back to the nation\u2019s second outing at the 2006 instalment. This is his 201st match for Croatia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n