FIFA World Cup: Croatia and Panama head into Tuesday's Group L encounter at BMO Field in Toronto knowing that anything less than a victory could leave their FIFA World Cup campaigns hanging by a thread. Both sides opened the tournament with defeats and now face a must-win contest in what will be their first-ever meeting.
Croatia began their campaign with a spirited but ultimately unsuccessful performance against tournament favourites England, losing 4-2 despite twice drawing level during an entertaining first half. Zlatko Dalić's side showed glimpses of the resilience that carried them to the semifinals in the previous two World Cups, but defensive lapses proved costly against one of the competition's strongest teams.
Panama, meanwhile, left its opener with little reward despite an encouraging display against Ghana. Thomas Christiansen's men matched their opponents for long periods through aggressive pressing and composed play in possession, only to concede a late goal that handed the Black Stars a narrow 1-0 victory. The defeat was a bitter outcome for a team that impressed throughout qualification and believes it belongs on football's biggest stage.
