Nikola Vlašić’s powerful 83rd-minute header, planted into the net from a Luka Modrić corner, earned Croatia a hard-fought 2-1 win over Ghana on Saturday in Philadelphia and confirmed both sides’ passage to the last 32 of the World Cup. The veteran playmaker’s pinpoint delivery found Vlašić unmarked at the back post, the ball ricocheting in off the inside of the goal frame to reclaim the lead after Ghana had fought back. For Scotland, the result extinguished the last hope of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams, with Ghana’s accumulated four points closing the door.

Croatia had dominated much of the first half and went ahead through Petar Sucic’s low drive from 30 yards that skidded through a crowded penalty area and past goalkeeper Benjamin Asare in the 31st minute. Vlašić had earlier rattled the post, but Ghana gradually grew into the contest and levelled with seventeen minutes remaining when Derrick Luckassen side-footed home Ernest Nuamah’s free-kick, a goal awarded only after a lengthy VAR review overruled an initial offside call. The equaliser briefly lifted Ghana into second place in the live group standings, yet Croatia’s experience told in the closing stages. Modrić, winning his 201st international cap, orchestrated the response, and after Asare’s acrobatic stop denied Mario Pašalić, the subsequent corner provided the winner.

England’s 2-0 victory over Panama elsewhere in Group L ensured Thomas Tuchel’s side topped the standings with seven points, leaving Croatia as runners-up on six. Ghana’s third-place finish on four points was still enough to progress as one of the tournament’s best third-placed sides, a format first introduced in 2026. Croatia will now face the second-placed team from Group K — which includes Portugal, Colombia and DR Congo — in Toronto, while Ghana is set to meet the Group K winner, potentially setting up a duel with Cristiano Ronaldo’s side should Portugal top the group.