Croatia defeated Panama 1-0 in a World Cup 2026 qualifying match, securing a narrow victory. The game saw a determined effort from Panama, but they were ultimately unable to score. The winning goal came from Croatian substitute Ante Budimir, scoring late in the match. Croatia’s performance was described as underwhelming despite the win. Panama displayed courage throughout the contest but lacked the finishing touch to capitalize on their opportunities. The result sees Croatia advance in the qualifying stages, while Panama faces an uphill battle.