7M - Croatia 2-1 Ghana: Vlasic Late Header Seals Thrilling 2-0 Victory for Croatia Over Ghana to Clinch Last-32 Spot

<div _ngcontent-ng-c2040341613="" class="container"><message-content _ngcontent-ng-c2040341613="" _nghost-ng-c2914593264="" id="message-content-id-r_4fef9960b8bfdd76" class="ng-star-inserted"><div _ngcontent-ng-c2914593264="" inline-copy-host="" class="markdown markdown-main-panel enable-luminous-fast-follows enable-updated-hr-color stronger" id="model-response-message-contentr_4fef9960b8bfdd76" aria-busy="false" aria-live="polite" dir="ltr" style="--animation-duration: 400ms; --fade-animation-function: ease-out;"><p data-path-to-node="10" style="text-align: center;"><b data-path-to-node="11" data-index-in-node="0"><img src="/news3g/images/upload/20260628/tr_20260628_01a0b1d5b2c4cda54e36152f00b6a95d.png" width="620" border="0"></b></p><p data-path-to-node="10" style="text-align: left;"><b data-path-to-node="11" data-index-in-node="0"><b data-path-to-node="11" data-index-in-node="0">PHILADELPHIA, PA</b> &#8212; Nikola Vla&#353;ić emerged as the ultimate hero at Philadelphia Stadium on Saturday, nodding home a dramatic 83rd-minute winner to fire Croatia into the World Cup Round of 32 with a breathless 2-1 triumph over an elite Ghana squad.</b></p><p data-path-to-node="12">Entering the high-stakes Group L curtain-closer needing at least a point to guarantee survival, Zlatko Dalić&#8217;s side showcased their champion DNA from the opening whistle. Croatia completely suffocated the Black Stars in the first half, retaining over 54% of possession against a deep-lying Ghana block orchestrated by Carlos Queiroz.</p><p data-path-to-node="13">The relentless tactical pressure bore fruit in the 31st minute. Midfielder Petar Sučić picked up a loose ball roughly 25 yards out from goal, carved out a pocket of space, and unleashed a sensational, low-driven rocket into the bottom corner to shatter the deadlock and hand Croatia a well-deserved 1-0 lead going into the interval.</p><p data-path-to-node="14">However, the second half saw a completely rejuvenated Ghanaian outfit after Queiroz introduced the lightning pace of Abdul Fatawu. The tactical shift paid dividends in the 73rd minute amid absolute drama. A floating free-kick to the back post found Derrick Luckassen, who instinctively poked the ball across the line. While the linesman initially raised his flag for offside, a grueling four-minute VAR review overturned the decision, confirming the equalizer and sending the Ghanaian bench into temporary ecstasy.</p><p data-path-to-node="15">With their tournament lives flashing before their eyes, the Vatreni responded like warriors. In the 83rd minute, the ageless Luka Modrić stepped up to deliver a trademark, pinpoint corner-kick. Anticipating the trajectory perfectly, Nikola Vla&#353;ić towered above the Ghanaian defense to plant an unstoppable header past the helpless Benjamin Asare.</p><p data-path-to-node="16">The spectacular late strike successfully restored Croatia's lead and broke Ghana's resistance. With six points secured, Croatia confidently leapfrogs into the knockout phase as group runners-up, while Ghana enters the Round of 32 in third place following a classic encounter.</p></div></message-content><!----></div>