Croatia, Luka Modrić topple Ghana to keep World Cup hopes alive

PHILADELPHIA - Age proved to just be a number to Croatia as it continued its World Cup journey with a 2-1 defeat of Ghana on Saturday, June 27 at Lincoln Financial Field.

Nobody typified that more than 40-year-old midfielder Luka Modrić, who spent more than 90 minutes running up and down the pitch in an effort to extend his illustrious World Cup career.

After a loss to England and listless win against Panama, the possibility of elimination was the harsh reality facing Croatia. The European nation with population of 3.9 million has consistently punched above its weight in the biggest tournament in soccer, reaching the final in 2018 and finishing third in 2022.

But a minimum of at least one point against Ghana was required in its final group stage match to ensure passage to the knockout round of 32.

Croatia manager Zlatko Dalić turned to three of his stalwarts with more than a 100 caps — Modrić (200), Mateo Kovačić (111), Ivan Perišić (156) — and a combined age of 109 to shoulder much of the responsibility.

Those changes resulted in the team's best performance of the tournament and generated optimism that this generation can make another deep run in the World Cup.

Modrić and Kovacic were employed in the midfield and were able to marshal the Ghana attack. Perisic played in an unfamiliar left back spot in place of normal starter Josko Gvardiol but still helped stifle things in the final third.

Before drama at the end, the match was a slow burn.

Both teams benefited from a draw in the new expanded World Cup format of 48 teams, resulting in little initiative from either in the first 15 minutes. Neither registered an attempt on goal nor had a touch inside the opponent box.

Croatia tried to play to the flanks and open up space in the box. Ghana was content to pass back and forth along its defensive line in possession, offering little in the way of risk other than a few long balls that failed to find their mark.

The first real opportunity fell to Nikola Vlasic in the 17th minute. His strike from outside the box beat Ghana keeper Benjamin Asare but glanced off the far post. Croatia would get close in the 21st minute off a set piece with Modrić finding defender Marin Pongracic in the box but his header was well over the bar.

In a game that desperately needed a goal to liven things up, Luka Sucic delivered in the 31st minute with an almost carbon copy of the Vlasic strike but from a few feet further away. Instead of hitting the post, it sweetly went through the legs of Ghana defender Marvin Senaya and found the far corner to put Croatia up, 1-0.

Business picked up in the second half with Ghana already qualified but inspired to avoid a third-place finish in the group. Antoine Semenyo and substitute Fatawu Issahaku both had chances early after the break.

Ghana was rewarded in the 73rd minute when a set-piece cross from Ernest Nuamah was volleyed in by Derrick Luckassen. It was initially ruled offside before referee Drew Fisher went to the pitchside monitor and ruled the goal good, creating some tense moments for Croatia.

But Modrić helped silence those nerves with one of his trademark deliveries that helped make him a Ballon d'Or winner and a six-time winner of the Champions League with Real Madrid.

His outswinging corner found Nikola Vlasic at the penalty spot, and his header in corner put Croatia back ahead and made him the oldest man to register an assist at the World Cup. It also alleviated any tense moments in the final 10 minutes.

That didn't mean the effort lessened. Modrić wound up playing the whole match even if Dalic never intended for him to be out there.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, it was Modrić making a key tackle and shot block in the box. He later offered another tackle with one minute left, squeezing everything out of his body to ensure his team advanced.

"That's his character and his energy," Sulic said. "He was to be substituted a couple of times. But he was getting better and better. He knows this is his last World Cup, and he is trying to leave with his best impression."

The performance impressed teammates who look up to him as the country's greatest player and Croatia fans who erupted in cheers with every effort.

"I told him after the game, you playing like you’re 20," Sučić said. "He was incredible today. He runs a lot. He going very well. He was so good with the ball. He's our leader, our best player, and we are so happy that he can lead us in this World Cup. He can play until he wants.”

He will play at least one more time.

Next up for Croatia is trip to Toronto for a round of 32 showdown in five days with either Portugal or Colombia on July 2. Not much time will be spent celebrating this win for a country with big ambitions based on its history.

"This is only a small step forward, getting to the knockouts," Sulic said. "We will not be euphoric about today and will look ahead..

"We need to forget this and go back to the camp and prepare for the match."