Croatia secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Panama on Tuesday, advancing to the knockout stage of the World Cup and simultaneously eliminating Panama from contention. The decisive goal came in the 54th minute when Josip Stanišić delivered a cross that Ante Budimir converted with a close-range tap-in. The win allows Croatia to progress, while Panama finishes its tournament without a victory. The match was characterized by a tight defensive battle, with Croatia ultimately capitalizing on a well-executed attacking play. Panama fought valiantly but lacked the finishing touch needed to overcome the Croatian defense. This result concludes Panama’s participation in the World Cup and sets the stage for Croatia’s next challenge in the knockout rounds.