Ghana defender Derrick Luckassen had cancelled out Petar Sucic’s stunning first-half opener in the 73rd minute, but the Black Stars were unable to hold on for a point and will now head into the last 32 as one of the best third-placed sides.

Croatia’s victory also ended Scotland’s faint hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages.

Finalists in 2018 and semi-finalists four years later, Croatia carried the greater threat in the first half and went close to taking the lead on 17 minutes, when Vlasic’s long-range drive grazed the outside of goalkeeper Benjamin Asare’s right-hand post.

But Dalic’s team took a richly deserved lead when Inter Milan midfielder Sucic collected Mateo Kovacic’s pass before arrowing a low, right-footed drive through Luckassen’s legs and into the bottom corner.

Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo dragged a low shot narrowly wide of the far post late in the first half, but it would have been a scarcely deserved equaliser for Carlos Quieroz’s side, who failed to muster a first-half shot on target for the third game in succession.

However, the Black Stars appeared revitalised by the half-time introduction of Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu, who flashed a powerful shot narrowly over the bar early in the second half.

Ghana were rewarded for their improved second-half showing when Luckassen headed home Ernest Nuamah’s delivery – a goal which was awarded by the video assistant referee following a near four-minute check for offside.

Kwasi Sibo was in an offside position from Nuamah’s cross, but on-field official Drew Fischer eventually informed the crowd that the Ghana number eight was not interfering with play when the cross was struck and gave the goal.

The momentum appeared to be with Ghana as the game entered the final 10 minutes, but Vlasic nodded home Luka Modric’s delivery to earn Croatia their second Group L victory.

Caption: Nikola Vlasic scored the winner for Croatia in Philadelphia

WORLD CUP 2026 RESULTS

Panama 0  – 2  England

Croatia   2  – 1  Ghana

Colombia 0 – 0 Portugal

Congo DR 3 – 1 Uzbekistan

The Blues have splashed out more than £1.5billion on new players since BlueCo – led by Todd Boehly, Clearlake Capital, Mark Walter and Hansjorg Wyss – completed their takeover in 2022. The new ownership introduced themselves with a bang in their first full season when acquiring Enzo Fernandez from Benfica.

Chelsea agreed to pay his £106.8m release clause to make him their most expensive player ever while breaking the British transfer record. The 2022 World Cup winner, 25, endured a slow start to life in west London but went on to become indispensable under Enzo Maresca and is expected to be a key figure for Xabi Alonso this season.

However, the Argentine’s future is uncertain with reports suggesting he’s angling for a move to Real Madrid. Holding the title of being Chelsea’s most expensive player is certainly quite the load to bear and one Didier Drogba handled tremendously during his nine-year career at the club across two stints

The Ivorian cost the Blues £24million in 2004 with the staggering fee also making him the most expensive striker in English football. Drogba paid back his immense price tag in his debut campaign as he netted 16 goals across all competitions as Chelsea won their first Premier League title and triumphed in the League Cup final.

The former striker became an integral part of the winning machine Chelsea became over the next decade and added a further three league titles to his name and the club’s maiden Champions League trophy.

He left as a club legend in 2012 with 157 goals in 341 games, before returning in 2014 under ex-manager Jose Mourinho to clinch his second Premier League and League Cup double. Setting transfer records by position is something Chelsea have done since Drogba as the club’s purchase of Kepa Arrizabalaga not only set their record but made the Spaniard the most expensive goalkeeper ever – a title he keeps to this day.

The 31-year-old stopper joined in 2018 for £71.6million from Athletic Bilbao but never lived up to his fee with inconsistent form and several notable errors marring his seven-year stay at Chelsea which included loans to Real Madrid and Bournemouth.

The Blues opted to permanently cut ties with Kepa after selling him to rivals Arsenal for just £5m as he went on to win his first Premier League title this season playing back-up to compatriot David Raya.

8:00 p.m. – South Africa vs Canada (Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles)

Monday, June 29

6:00 p.m. – Brazil vs Japan (Houston Stadium, Houston)

9:30 p.m. – Germany vs Paraguay (Boston Stadium, Boston)

Tuesday, June 30

2:00 a.m. – Netherlands vs Morocco (Monterrey Stadium, Monterrey)

6:00 p.m. – Côte d’Ivoire vs Norway (Dallas Stadium, Dallas)

10:00 p.m. – France vs Sweden (New York/New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey)

Thursday, July 2

1:00 a.m. – USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area)

Friday, July 3

7:00 p.m. – Australia vs Egypt (Dallas Stadium, Dallas)

11:00 p.m. – Argentina vs Cabo Verde (Miami Stadium, Miami)

After the Round of 32, the tournament will progress to the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, the third-place play-off and the final, scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026, at the New York/New Jersey Stadium.