Derrick Luckassen’s goal gave Ghana a brief route back into the match, but it was not enough to change the outcome. Kroatië won 2-1, and both teams advanced to the last 32 after the final Group L games sorted out the bracket.
The equalizer came when Luckassen tapped in from a free kick to make it 1-1, only for Kroatië to answer later through Nikola Vlasic, whose header from a corner restored their lead. The goal was checked for a possible foul, but VAR upheld it. In the other group match, England beat Panama 2-0, with Jude Bellingham opening the scoring and Harry Kane adding the second. Kane’s strike was his 11th World Cup goal.
That left England top of the group and set up a meeting with Senegal first in the knockout stage. Kroatië finished second and Ghana third, both still alive after a final day that had begun with three sides still in contention for the last 32. For Luckassen, the moment will be remembered as a timely finish that mattered without changing the result.
The wider day also carried a line of World Cup history for Kroatië. Luka Modric, at 40 years and 291 days, became the oldest player ever to provide a World Cup assist since records began in 1966. England’s victory kept them away from Oranje’s side of the knockout bracket, another small but meaningful twist in a day that rearranged the tournament without much ceremony.
