LIVE UPDATES: Croatia vs Ghana World Cup 2026 – Follow all the action, goals and celebrations

90+8′ The final whistle goes and that’s the end of the match. Croatia emerge victorious after a hard-fought contest.

90+7′ Issahaku Fatawu (Ghana) drives purposefully into the penalty area, but completely miscues his effort and sends the ball soaring high over the crossbar.

90+5′ Ivan Perišić (Croatia) whips a dangerous cross into the area, but Ghana’s defence stands firm and clears behind for a Croatian corner.

90+5′ Kojo Peprah (Ghana) leaves the referee with little choice and goes into the book after a reckless challenge.

90+3′ Luka Modrić (Croatia) opts for a short corner routine, keeping possession rather than delivering the ball into the box.

90+3′ Marco Pašalić (Croatia) tries to break into a dangerous area, but a defender gets across to clear the ball behind for a corner. Croatia have another chance to pile on the pressure.

90+2′ Luka Modrić (Croatia) goes straight for goal from a dangerous free-kick, but his effort crashes into the defensive wall and the threat is dealt with.

90+1′ Drew Fischer halts play after Marvin Senaya (Ghana) commits a tactical foul, handing Croatia a free-kick in a position unlikely to trouble the goalkeeper directly.

90′ We are set for seven additional minutes as the game enters its closing stages.

89′ Antoine Semenyo (Ghana) appears to have escaped serious damage and should be able to continue after receiving treatment.

88′ Croatia make a late defensive switch as Nikola Vlašić heads to the bench and Joško Gvardiol comes on.

88′ Croatia make another change as Marco Pašalić comes on to replace Martin Baturina for the closing stages.

86′ Antoine Semenyo (Ghana) goes down holding his ankle and looks to be in some discomfort as the medical staff prepare to assess him.

85′ Carlos Queiroz makes another change, with Kwasi Sibo making way for Caleb Yirenkyi as Ghana look for fresh energy in the closing stages.

84′ Drew Fischer immediately spots the infringement as Kwasi Sibo (Ghana) catches his opponent’s legs rather than the ball, resulting in a free-kick.

83′ GOAL FOR CROATIA! Nikola Vlašić keeps his composure and heads the ball beyond Benjamin Asare to restore Croatia’s advantage!

82′ Mario Pašalić (Croatia) latches onto a pass on the edge of the area and fires a shot towards the bottom-right corner, but Benjamin Asare reacts brilliantly to push it behind for a corner.

80′ Nikola Vlašić (Croatia) wins the ball cleanly in his view, but Drew Fischer sees a foul and the Croatian midfielder is clearly unhappy with the decision.

78′ Croatia are making a change as Marco Pašalić comes on to replace Mateo Kovačić for the closing stages.

77′ The goal stands! Drew Fischer points to the centre circle after the VAR review, and Derrick Luckassen (Ghana) erupts in celebration as the Black Stars draw level.

74′ Hold on! Drew Fischer has signalled for a VAR review of Ghana’s goal, with the officials checking a possible offside in the build-up.

73′ GOAL FOR GHANA! Derrick Luckassen keeps his composure in front of goal and calmly slots the ball into the back of the net to level the contest!

72′ Drew Fischer has a perfect view of the incident and penalises Marin Pongračić (Croatia) for the foul, handing Ghana a free-kick in a promising position.

71′ Kamaldeen Sulemana’s night comes to an end after a tireless display, with Ernest Nuamah coming on to provide fresh impetus for Ghana.

71′ Ghana make a substitution as Jordan Ayew departs, with Brandon Thomas-Asante receiving his final instructions from Carlos Queiroz before entering the action.

68′ Play is temporarily halted for cooling break.

68′ Ivan Perišić (Croatia) goes into the referee’s book after a late challenge, though the veteran winger is clearly unhappy with the decision.

66′ Croatia make a substitution, with Igor Matanović replacing Ante Budimir after a hardworking shift.

66′ Jordan Ayew (Ghana) swings the corner into the danger area, but Croatia’s defence stands firm and clears the ball to safety.

65′ Antoine Semenyo (Ghana) whips a cross into the penalty area, but the Croatian defence clears it behind for a corner. The Black Stars have another opportunity to threaten.

63′ The shot count now stands at 5-3 in favour of Croatia.

61′ Petar Sučić (Croatia) whips a cross into the penalty area, but it’s too close to Benjamin Asare, who gathers the ball comfortably.

59′ Drew Fischer blows his whistle and penalises Jordan Ayew (Ghana) for an offensive foul.

57′ Kamaldeen Sulemana (Ghana) connects sweetly with a powerful volley, but a brave block from the Croatian defence keeps the effort from reaching goal.

56′ Jordan Ayew (Ghana) swings the corner into the box, but Dominik Livaković reads it perfectly and comes off his line to claim the ball.

56′ Kamaldeen Sulemana (Ghana) looks to thread a decisive pass into the box, but a Croatian defender gets there first to clear the danger. Ghana win a corner and keep the pressure on.

55′ Ante Budimir (Croatia) goes in far too aggressively, prompting Drew Fischer to stop play and award a free-kick.

53′ The assistant referee raises his flag for offside, and Drew Fischer quickly confirms that Antoine Semenyo (Ghana) strayed beyond the last defender.

51′ Ante Budimir (Croatia) goes in a little too aggressively, and Drew Fischer quickly blows for a foul.

50′ Issahaku Fatawu (Ghana) whips a delightful cross into the penalty area, but Croatia’s defenders react well to clear the danger.

47′ Issahaku Fatawu creates an opening for himself and cracks a shot that flies agonisingly over the bar.

46′ Ghana look to inject fresh energy into the contest, with Issahaku Fatawu replacing Elisha Owusu.

46′ Ghana make a change at the interval as Kojo Peprah comes on in place of Jonas Adjetey.

46′ The second half is now underway.

45+4′ Drew Fischer blows the whistle, bringing the first half to a close.

45+2′ Modrić’s free-kick fails to beat the first man as Ghana clear the danger with ease.

45+1′ Drew Fischer penalises Thomas Partey for a rough challenge and points for a Croatian free-kick.

45′ Four extra minutes are to be played before the whistle goes.

43′ The referee blows for a foul as Nikola Vlašić is caught holding his opponent.

42′ Elisha Owusu (Ghana) tries to pick out a teammate inside the box, but his pass is blocked by the Croatian defence.

40′ Antoine Semenyo (Ghana) skips past his marker with ease inside the penalty area and fires at goal, but his effort drifts just wide of the left post.

39′ Ivan Perišić (Croatia) delivers a cross from the flank, but it lacks accuracy and sails harmlessly away from its intended target.

38′ Mateo Kovačić (Croatia) unleashes a quick effort from distance after latching onto a precise pass, but a defender throws himself in the way to make a brilliant block.

34′ Kwasi Sibo (Ghana) goes in with a heavy challenge, and Drew Fischer is quick to blow for a foul.

32′ Goal for Croatia! Petar Sučić is the man on the scoresheet as he finds the back of the net and sends the Croatian fans into celebration!

30′ Ivan Perišić (Croatia) meets the resulting free-kick with a header from distance, but it lacks the power and direction to trouble Benjamin Asare, who gathers comfortably. The score remains unchanged.

30′ Elisha Owusu (Ghana) slides in recklessly on his opponent and is fortunate to escape a booking. Drew Fischer whistles for the foul but keeps his cards in his pocket, handing Croatia a dangerous free-kick opportunity to pile pressure on the Ghanaian defence.

25′ The players head to the touchline after the referee calls for a cooling break.

24′ Ante Budimir (Croatia) goes to ground inside the penalty area following a challenge, but referee Drew Fischer shows no interest and signals for play to continue.

23′ Josip Stanišić (Croatia) swings a cross into the penalty area, but goalkeeper Benjamin Asare reads it well and comes off his line to collect comfortably.

20′ Marin Pongračić (Croatia) squanders a glorious opportunity as he rises highest near the penalty spot to meet the resulting free-kick, but his header sails well over the crossbar.

19′ Kwasi Sibo (Ghana) holds his opponent to prevent him from getting the ball and the referee blows for a foul after seeing the whole situation. It’s a free kick to Croatia in a dangerous position.

19′ The Croatians are enjoying a spell of neat, controlled passing as they retain the ball.

17′ Nikola Vlašić (Croatia) brings down a clever pass superbly on the edge of the box and unleashes a thunderous effort that crashes off the left post! So close to a spectacular goal!

15′ Possession is almost evenly split at 51% to 49%.

13′ Petar Sucic (Croatia) tries to pick out a teammate with a pass from the edge of the area, but Ghana’s defence reacts quickly to snuff out the danger.

9′ Ivan Perisic (Croatia) whips a dangerous cross into the box, but Benjamin Asare reads it well and gathers the ball safely.

8′ Elisha Owusu (Ghana) brings down his opponent, and Drew Fischer is well positioned to spot the infringement and blows for a foul.

4′ Kamaldeen Sulemana (Ghana) is a little too aggressive in his challenge, and referee Drew Fischer quickly blows for a foul.

1′ Marvin Senaya of Ghana commits a rash challenge, and the referee immediately blows for a foul.

1′ And we’re off! Today’s match is officially underway

National anthems done

Drew Fischer will take charge of today’s match as the referee

Croatia’s lineup is out

Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has made three alterations to his starting line-up for the Black Stars’ decisive Group L clash against Croatia.

Derrick Luckassen, Kamal Deen Sulemana and Elisha Owusu have all been handed starting roles, replacing Jerome Opoku, Inaki Williams and Caleb Yirenkyi for the must-win encounter.

Head-to-Head History

Croatia and Ghana have never previously met in a senior international match, making this Group L encounter in Philadelphia their first-ever meeting. The Europeans, however, boast an impressive World Cup record against African opposition, remaining unbeaten in four such matches (three wins and one draw) since making their tournament debut in 1998.

The Vatreni arrive knowing that only victory guarantees their place in the Round of 32, while Ghana could progress with a draw depending on the outcome of England’s simultaneous clash with Panama. Both nations also retain an outside chance of topping the group.

Croatia recovered from a heavy 4-2 defeat to England by edging Panama 1-0 on matchday two, with veteran striker Ante Budimir scoring the decisive goal. It was also a landmark evening for captain Luka Modrić, who celebrated his 200th international appearance with a crucial victory.

However, Zlatko Dalić’s side have looked vulnerable defensively, conceding four goals in their opening match and relying heavily on the experience of 40-year-old Modrić and 37-year-old Ivan Perišić. The Croatians have managed just one win in their last three internationals and cannot afford another slip-up.

Ghana, meanwhile, head into the contest unbeaten after beginning their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Panama before earning an impressive goalless draw against England in Boston. The Black Stars remain one of only a handful of teams yet to concede a goal at the tournament.

Carlos Queiroz has transformed Ghana into one of the competition’s most disciplined defensive units, although attacking output remains a concern. The Black Stars have scored only once in two matches and are still searching for their first shot on target in the opening half of a game at this World Cup.

A draw would likely be enough to send Ghana into the knockout rounds for the first time since their historic quarter-final run in 2010, while victory could even see them finish top of Group L if England fail to beat Panama.

Match News and Current Form

Croatia enter this decisive showdown needing a win to keep their World Cup hopes firmly in their own hands, while Ghana are targeting a return to the knockout stages after a 16-year wait.

Match venue: Lincoln Financial Field. Capacity: 69879

Welcome to Africasoccer’s live coverage of the World Cup 2026 Group L encounter between Croatia and Ghana in Philadelphia.