Croatia vs Ghana
Croatia edge Ghana in tight World Cup tussle
Vlašić's late strike seals a narrow win after Luckassen's equaliser.
Croatia secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Ghana in a closely contested World Cup match. P. Sučić opened the scoring in the first half, with D. Luckassen pulling Ghana level after the break. However, N. Vlašić's decisive goal in the 83rd minute ensured Croatia took all three points. This result defied Fipster's prediction of a 1-1 draw, adding a touch of drama to the fixture.
Analysis
Croatia and Ghana meet in their final Group Stage fixture, both eager to secure vital points as the tournament progresses. With comparable squad strength and recent performances, this clash promises a balanced contest.
Croatia, with six prior World Cup appearances and a best finish as runners-up in 2018, face Ghana, who have appeared four times before and reached the quarter-finals in 2010. Both teams qualified directly, topping their respective groups, and bring squads rich in top European league talent, making this a compelling encounter in the group_md3 phase.
Both sides have similar recent form, with Croatia earning 2.375 points per game and Ghana close behind at 2.333. Key players like Croatia's Luka Modrić and Andrej Kramarić match Ghana's Thomas Partey in calibre. The attacking midfield creativity of Croatia, led by Perišić and Sučić, contrasts with Ghana's set-piece threat from defender Caleb Marfo Yirenkyi, who has an impressive scoring record for a defender. Both teams have full squads available, setting the stage for a tactical and evenly matched battle.
Prediction
Given the parity in squad quality and recent form, a draw is the most likely outcome. The prediction is a 1-1 scoreline, with a goalless first half and a moderate number of cards expected. Both teams are expected to find the net once, reflecting their balanced attacking and defensive capabilities.
Outcome probability
Key Insights
Croatia's attacking midfield creativity
Perišić and Sučić provide strong assist potential, linking well with forwards Musa and Baturina.
Ghana's set-piece threat from defender
Caleb Marfo Yirenkyi's 4 goals in 2 games is exceptional for a defender, posing aerial threat.
Croatia's away scoring streak
Croatia has scored in last 2 away games, with key players in form, supporting predicted goal.
No injuries reported for key players
Both teams have full squads available, ensuring strongest lineups and tactical plans.
Key Takeaways
This Group Stage finale between Croatia and Ghana should be a tight affair, with neither side able to dominate. Fans can expect a competitive match that honours the quality and resilience of both teams, culminating in a fair share of points.
- Croatia have made 6 prior World Cup appearances, best finish: runners-up (2018).
- Ghana have made 4 prior World Cup appearances, best finish: quarter-finals (2010).
- Both teams qualified directly, topping their qualifying groups.
- Croatia have 17 of 26 players in top-5 European leagues; Ghana have 14 of 26.
- Croatia's recent form: 2.375 points per game over last 12 months.
- Ghana's recent form: 2.333 points per game over last 12 months.
- Both teams have full squads available with no reported injuries.
- This match is a Group Stage matchday 3 fixture with both teams needing points.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — Croatia
Away — Ghana
Form as the teams went into this match — excludes this result and anything since.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
FIFA world ranking
Sučić
Assist: Kovačić
Adjetey
Owusu
Owusu
Adjetey
Budimir
Perišić
Yellow Card
Sulemana
Ayew
Ayew
Sulemana
Luckassen
Assist: Nuamah
Goal confirmed
Kovačić
Vlašić
Assist: Modrić
Sibo
Baturina
Vlašić
Peprah Oppong
Yellow Card
Match Statistics
Croatia
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 1D. LivakovićG
- 2J. StanišićD
- 3M. PongračićD
- 6J. ŠutaloD
- 8M. KovačićM
- 10L. ModrićM
- 11A. BudimirF
- 13N. VlašićM
- 14I. PerišićD
- 16M. BaturinaM
- 17P. SučićM
Substitutes
- 4J. GvardiolD
- 5D. Ćaleta-CarD
- 7N. MoroM
- 9A. KramarićF
- 12I. PandurG
- 15Mario PasalicM
- 18K. JakićM
- 19T. FrukM
- 20I. MatanovićF
- 21L. SučićM
- 22L. VuškovićD
- 23D. KotarskiG
- 24Marco PasalicF
- 25M. ErlićD
- 26P. MusaF
Ghana
4-1-4-1Starting XI
- 4J. AdjeteyD
- 5T. ParteyM
- 8K. SiboM
- 9J. AyewF
- 11A. SemenyoM
- 14G. MensahD
- 15E. OwusuM
- 16B. AsareG
- 22K. SulemanaM
- 23D. LuckassenD
- 26M. SenayaD
Substitutes
- 1L. ZigiG
- 2A. SeiduD
- 3Caleb Marfo YirenkyiM
- 6A. MuminD
- 7A. FatawuF
- 10B. Thomas-AsanteF
- 12J. AnangG
- 13C. Bonsu BaahF
- 17A. BabaD
- 18J. OpokuD
- 19I. WilliamsF
- 20A. BoakyeM
- 21K. Peprah OppongD
- 24E. NuamahF
- 25P. AduF
Croatia
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petar Sučić | M | 90 | 8.7 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Luka Modrić(C) | M | 90 | 7.9 | — | 1 | — | — | 4 | 1/2 |
| Nikola Vlašić | M | 88 | 7.3 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — |
| Josip Šutalo | D | 90 | 7.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mateo Kovačić | M | 78 | 6.9 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — |
| Martin Baturina | M | 88 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2/4 |
| Ivan Perišić | D | 90 | 6.6 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Marin Pongračić | D | 90 | 6.6 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Dominik Livaković | G | 90 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Josip Stanišić | D | 90 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ante Budimir | F | 66 | 6.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Andrej Kramarić | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Petar Musa | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Toni Fruk | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Luka Vušković | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dominik Kotarski | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Nikola Moro | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Duje Ćaleta-Car | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Luka Sučić | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ivor Pandur | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kristijan Jakić | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Martin Erlić | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Joško Gvardiol | D | 10 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Igor Matanović | F | 24 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Mario Pašalić | M | 12 | 6.6 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 0/1 |
| Marco Pašalić | F | 10 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | 2/3 |
Ghana
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derrick Luckassen | D | 90 | 7.2 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Thomas Partey | M | 90 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Gideon Mensah | D | 90 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Marvin Senaya | D | 90 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kamaldeen Sulemana | M | 71 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | 2/5 |
| Antoine Semenyo | M | 90 | 6.3 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1/2 |
| Jordan Ayew(C) | F | 71 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Jonas Adjei Adjetey | D | 45 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Elisha Owusu | M | 45 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Kwasi Sibo | M | 85 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Benjamin Asare | G | 90 | 5.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Abdul Mumin | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Rahman Baba | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Alidu Seidu | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Joseph Anang | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jerome Opoku | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lawrence Ati Zigi | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Iñaki Williams | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Christopher Baah | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Prince Kwabena Adu | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Augustine Boakye | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ernest Nuamah | F | 19 | 7.2 | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | 1/5 |
| Brandon Thomas-Asante | F | 19 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Abdul Fatawu Issahaku | F | 45 | 6.6 | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 1/2 |
| Caleb Yirenkyi | M | 13 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kojo Peprah Oppong | D | 45 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |