Croatia edge a pulsating Group L finale in Philadelphia as a late set-piece kills Ghana’s hopes of second place.
By Norman Mwale
Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 in a pulsating Group L finale at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, yesterday to seal second place behind England and send the Black Stars through in third. Petar Sučić opened the scoring, Derrick Luckassen levelled for Ghana after a VAR review, and Nikola Vlašić’s 83rd-minute header settled a contest that swung on fine margins and late drama.
The first half belonged to Croatia’s patience. Sučić broke the deadlock in the 31st minute with a composed long-range left-footed finish to put Zlatko Dalić’s side 1-0 up at the break. Ghana struggled for rhythm before the interval, managing only one clear sight of goal when Antoine Semenyo dragged wide in the 40th minute.
Ghana emerged with intent after the restart and their pressure told in the 73rd minute. Ernest Nuamah’s free-kick into the box found Luckassen, who volleyed home amid an initial offside flag. VAR intervened, reviewed the phase over four minutes, and allowed the goal to stand, sending the Black Stars bench into relief and dragging Ghana level at 1-1. Luckassen, who started in place of Jerome Opoku, marked his first World Cup appearance with the crucial strike. The 26-year-old defender is the brother of Netherlands forward Brian Brobbey.
The equaliser lasted only ten minutes. Mario Pašalić, introduced for Mateo Kovačić in the 78th minute, forced a save whose rebound led to a corner. From Luka Modrić’s delivery, Vlašić rose highest and headed home in the 83rd minute to restore Croatia’s lead at 2-1. The change that brought Pašalić on immediately altered the tempo and proved decisive.
Referee Paul O’Keefe added seven minutes of stoppage time, but Ghana could not fashion a second equaliser despite Semenyo’s repeated forays. The forward, Ghana’s liveliest outlet, spurned three promising openings in the second half and was left to rue his finishing as the clock ran out.
The result lifts Croatia to six points, ensuring they finish second in Group L behind England, while Ghana advance in third on four points. “We showed character to come back, but we switched off at a set-piece and were punished,” said Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz. “Semenyo worked tirelessly and Luckassen delivered when we needed him, yet we must be ruthless in both boxes.” Croatia captain Modrić praised the response. “After Ghana’s goal we stayed calm. The corner, the header, the belief — that is what tournaments are about.”
Croatia now face the Round of 32 as runners-up, while Ghana advance as one of the best third-placed teams and will know their knockout-stage opponents once the group stage concludes. On a Philadelphia night defined by VAR, a set-piece, and late heartbreak, Croatia’s resilience edged them through in style — and Ghana, despite the defeat, live to fight another day.
