Panama
Having reached the final CONCACAF Nations League and the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2025, former Leeds United boss Thomas Christiansen would have been confident that his Panama side could have been very awkward opponents for the rest of Group L – but they were left frustrated in their opener in Toronto.
Having been slightly the better of the two sides for much of the game against Ghana, particularly in the first half, Panama were eventually undone late on with midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi scoring from close range deep into second half stoppage time to deny Panama a much-needed point.
Injuries & Team News
Panama midfielder Carlos Harvey must avoid a yellow card as he will otherwise miss out on his side’s third group match, as will wing-back Cesar Blackman.
Midfielder Yoel Barcenas performed excellently from a defensive perspective against Ghana, and he should expect to make his 106th appearance for the national team.
Jiovany Ramos, Jose Cordoba and Andres Andrade were stationed in a three-man defence last time out, and the trio will need to be at their best again, but striker Cecilio Waterman will also have to relieve pressure on the backline by holding the ball up at the other end of the pitch.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 0-1 vs Ghana | D W L W D L |
Predicted Line-Up
Panama possible starting lineup:
Mosquera; Ramos, Cordoba, Andrade; Murillo, Harvey, Barcenas, Blackman; Martinez, Waterman, Rodriguez
Croatia
Zlatko Dalic and his experienced Croatia side continued to show the remarkable resilience that they have displayed at the last two FIFA World Cups, reaching the final in 2018 and the semi-finals in 2022, in the first half of their opener against England – but their ageing side were blown away in the second half.
Having pegged England back twice in the first half with goals from Martin Baturina and Petar Musa, an English onslaught in the opening stages of the second half saw The Three Lions threaten to run away with things and they did eventually wrap up a 4-2 victory as Croatia struggled to get themselves back into the game.
Injuries & Team News
Six of Croatia’s current squad were present at the 2018 World Cup, including veteran Luka Modric, and the 40-year-old is set to defy his age once again by starting another game for his country.
The AC Milan star may play in a midfield three – rather than in a double pivot ahead of three centre-backs – with Mateo Kovacic and Mario Pasalic possible inclusions next to Modric.
Perhaps Andrej Kramaric will come into the starting lineup, and he may appear in a front three that also features Petar Musa and Ivan Perisic.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 2-4 vs England | W W L L W L |
Predicted Line-Up
Croatia possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Vuskovic, Gvardiol; Modric, Kovacic, Pasalic; Perisic, Musa, Kramaric
Betting Odds
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Panama Win | 5/1 – (6.00) | Grand Ivy |
| Draw | 14/5 – (3.80) | Dream Vegas |
| Croatia Win | 11/20 – (1.53) | 247Bet |
Prediction
Panama 1-2 Croatia
Panama were unfortunate not to pick anything up against Ghana and will have no fears facing a team way above them in the FIFA Rankings. Croatia are an ageing team but they should have enough to just about scrape a win here.