Match Prediction
How the Model Sees It Unfold
- Kramarić · Kovačić⚽23’
- 34’Partey
- 57’⚽Williams · Sulemana
- Pašalić61’
- 74’Opoku
- Perišić · Sučić⚽78’
- 88’Seidu
Match Info
- Tournament
- FIFA World Cup 2026
- Stage
- Group Stage
- Date
- 27 Jun 2026
- Kick-off
- 21:00 (local)
- Stadium
- Lincoln Financial Field
- City
- Philadelphia
Pressing & Heat Zones
Croatia dominate the left half-space and central corridor, with Modrić and Kovačić recycling possession through the middle third and Perišić stretching the left flank.
Ghana's activity concentrates on the right flank through Fatawu and Sulemana's driving runs, with Partey providing a deep pivot to launch transitions.
Croatia subs
- 13Vlašić
- 16Baturina
- 18Budimir
- 20P. Sučić
- 19Musa
- 3Ćaleta-Car
- 23Kotarski
Ghana subs
- 9J. Ayew
- 24Nuamah
- 13Bonsu Baah
- 20Boakye
- 4Adjetey
- 14G. Mensah
- 10Thomas-Asante
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.