Pre-matchTuesday, June 23

Redemption Road: Croatia Must Find Their Spark Against Spirited Panama

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Croatia, stunned by Ghana on matchday one, need a win in Vancouver to revive their World Cup campaign—while Panama, unlucky against England, hunt an upset that would shake Group L wide open.

The market makes Croatia heavy favourites to bounce back, but 63 of you see it coming—only 3 brave souls backed Panama, and 8 fence-sitters called the draw.

The Qualification Maths

Croatia sit bottom of Group L on zero points after that 3–1 opening-day shock against Ghana, while Panama are third on goal difference following a spirited 2–1 defeat to England. It's early-stage desperation for the 2022 runners-up: anything less than three points in Vancouver leaves them staring at must-win drama against England on matchday three. Panama, meanwhile, can dream—beat the Croatians and suddenly a knockout berth is within touching distance, especially with Ghana still to play.

Team News & Key Matchup

Croatia boss Zlatko Dalić faces selection headaches after that disjointed opener. The midfield axis that once controlled games—Modrić, Kovačić, Brozović—looked a step slow against Ghana's energy, and there's chatter about freshening the engine room. Up front, the spotlight falls squarely on Luka Modrić, now 40 but still the heartbeat; if the Vatreni are to click, he must dictate tempo against Panama's industrious midfield. For Los Canaleros, all eyes on their pressing game—they harried England into mistakes and will fancy unsettling an ageing Croatian backline if they can replicate that intensity. Expect manager Thomas Christiansen to deploy the same high-energy 4–3–3 that nearly nicked a point at Levi's Stadium.

What the Odds Say

The bookmakers see this as a straightforward Croatia bounce-back job—most shops have the Vatreni around 1.50 to win, with Panama drifting near 6.00 and the draw somewhere in the 4.00 range. That's a clear market favourite, and 63 of you agreed, backing Croatia to get their campaign rolling. But recent history whispers caution: this Croatian generation has looked vulnerable when pressed, and Panama—underdogs with nothing to lose—will bring the fight.

▸Sources (29)