Croatia's 4-3-3 was ideally suited to this matchup. With Jakić suspended, Kovačić slid into a more combative box-to-box role alongside Modrić and Pašalić, and the trio collectively outworked Ghana's double pivot of Partey and Owusu. The key tactical battle was Croatia's high press vs. Ghana's direct transition: Croatia won it convincingly in the first half, forcing six turnovers in Ghana's half before the break. Ghana's equaliser came from a moment of individual brilliance rather than systemic superiority — Sulemana's dribble bypassed Croatia's press entirely. Croatia's response was to drop slightly deeper and invite Ghana onto them, trusting the set-piece threat of Perišić and Gvardiol to be decisive. That gamble paid off. Ghana's 4-2-3-1 created width through Fatawu and Sulemana but lacked a target striker to hold the ball up; Williams's movement was electric but isolated. For Croatia, the result keeps their knockout-stage ambitions firmly on track; for Ghana, a point would have been a fair reflection of the first hour.

• Modrić completed 94% of his passes (51/54) and created 3 key chances — a masterclass at 40.
• Kramarić's opener was Croatia's 8th World Cup goal from an open-play through-ball since 2018.
• Iñaki Williams registered 6 dribbles completed — the most of any player on the pitch.
• Perišić's headed winner was his 4th World Cup goal, equalling Davor Šuker's all-time Croatia record.
• Ghana's xG of 1.14 flatters their conversion — Williams's goal came from their only shot on target in the second half.
• Croatia's press averaged 7.2 seconds to regain possession in the final third, suffocating Ghana's build-up late on.