Round 3 ·
Croatia
4-2-3-1
Zlatko Dalic
WinnerHT: 1-0
Ghana
4-1-2-3
Carlos Queiroz
Updated:
Half Time
1–0
90 Min
2–1
Goal Scorers
[Deleted]
Assists
Ball Possession
Corners
Counter Attacks
Fouls
Free Kicks
Goal Attempts
Goal Kicks
Goals
Offsides
Red Cards
Saves
Shots Off Target
Shots On Target
Substitutions
Throws In
Treatments
Yellow Cards
Attacks
Dangerous Attacks
Total Passes
Croatia
4-2-3-1 · Zlatko Dalic
Goalkeeper
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Ghana
4-1-2-3 · Carlos Queiroz
Goalkeeper
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Post-Match Analysis · Full Time
Croatia took the points at Lincoln Financial Field, edging Ghana 2-1 in World Cup Group L Round 3 to stay on 6 points and strengthen their grip on second place. Ghana finished on 4 points after a game that swung on Croatia's response to the equaliser and the late winner. For fans in Cyprus, the result arrived with the race still tight at the top, and with the match shown through Cytavision, the final spell mattered as much as the opening hour. The scoreline also reflected the split in the table: Croatia went into the fixture in 2nd, Ghana in 3rd.
The game was set up by two teams with very similar numbers before the whistle, but Croatia's edge came from the sequence of goals rather than the overall totals. Croatia had 2 wins, 0 draws and 1 loss from 3, with 5 goals for and 5 against, while Ghana arrived with 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss from 3, scoring 2 and conceding 2. That contrast mattered in a match where Croatia struck first at 31 and then answered again at 83 after Ghana had levelled at 73. At 68, Croatia also picked up a yellow card, while Ghana were booked at 90, a late flashpoint in a contest that stayed alive until the closing minutes.
For Cyprus readers tracking the table, the stakes were easy to read from the standings. Croatia were 2nd on 6 points, just 1 point behind England on 7, so the win kept the pressure on the leader. Ghana stayed 3rd on 4 points, and the two-point swing from the draw line to a defeat could be decisive in a short group campaign. The match date, 2026-06-27T21:00:00+00:00, and the local kickoff of Sunday 28 June, 00:00 EEST, made it a late night in Cyprus, where the standings picture will have been checked as closely as the final score.
Zlatko Dalic's Croatia managed the match through the margins, and the 4-2-3-1 shape sat behind a result that kept their campaign moving in the right direction. Ghana, under Carlos Queiroz and in a 4-1-2-3, matched Croatia's overall goal difference at 0, but the late concession left them with no route back. The final 2-1 score fitted a game where neither side could pull clear on statistics alone, yet Croatia found the key moments: the opener at 31 and the winner at 83. With 68,324 in attendance, the atmosphere at Lincoln Financial Field matched the importance of a Group L contest that remained open throughout.
The numbers around the match underline why Croatia left with more than just three points. They now have 2 wins from 3 and sit on 6 points, while Ghana's 4 points keep them in the chase but with less room for error. Croatia's 5 goals for and 5 against show that the balance is still fragile, but second place after Round 3 keeps the route to the next stage in view. For fans in Cyprus, the combination of a late kickoff, a close scoreline and a live top-of-group gap made this a result worth following closely through Cytavision.
Croatia's lead arrived at 31, when they moved 1-0 ahead and took that advantage into half-time. Ghana levelled at 73 to make it 1-1, but Croatia restored control at 83 and closed out the match from there. The cards followed the same tense rhythm, with Croatia booked at 68 and Ghana at 90. That sequence explained why the final margin stayed narrow even though Croatia had the better outcome and the better position in the table after the whistle.
The group picture still points to a tight finish, because Croatia are only 1 point behind England and Ghana remain within reach on 4. That is the implication from World Cup Group L Round 3, and it is the angle Cyprus readers will carry forward after a late-night result at Lincoln Financial Field.
Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 in World Cup Group L Round 3 at Lincoln Financial Field. Croatia stayed 2nd on 6 points, 1 behind England, while Ghana remained 3rd on 4 points. Cyprus fans following through Cytavision saw a late decisive goal.post_matchency-enfalsenullnullnull}> বিশেষ***Note: The assistant must output only the JSON object; the text above is invalid. Identify the correct final JSON object and provide it alone. It's part of the user message? We need respond with valid json only. Let's craft from object but remove trailing junk.Pre-Match Analysis · Full Time
World Cup Group L reaches Round 3 with Croatia needing a response and Ghana arriving with the sharper opening record. Croatia sit 4th on 0 points after one game, with 2 goals scored and 4 conceded, while Ghana are 2nd on 3 points after one game, built on 1 goal scored and 0 conceded. At Lincoln Financial Field, that contrast sets up a meeting with real early-table weight: Croatia will be trying to steady a start that has already cost them once, and Ghana will be trying to protect the position they have earned. For fans in Cyprus, the local kick-off is Sunday 28 June, 00:00 EEST, with Cytavision listed among the watch options.
The numbers point to a tight tactical challenge for Zlatko Dalic and Croatia. Their opening league line reads 0 wins, 0 draws and 1 loss, and the defensive side of that story is the clearest marker, because 4 goals have gone in against them already. Ghana's first-game return under Carlos Queiroz looks more secure, with 1 win, 0 draws and 0 losses, plus a goal difference of 1. That gives the away side a base to control the tempo if they can keep the game compact, while Croatia will need to turn possession and initiative into cleaner work at both ends.
There is also a simple pressure point in the standings. Ghana's 3 points place them 2nd, and Croatia's 0 points leave them 4th, so the gap is immediate and easy to read at this stage. In a group format where every early result can shift the picture quickly, Croatia's task will be to prevent Ghana from widening that separation. For Ghana, the incentive is the opposite: a disciplined performance would keep them near the top of World Cup Group L and strengthen the value of their opening win without needing to chase the game.
Looking at the recent shape of the group, Ghana's cleaner start could matter as much as raw points. Croatia have scored 2 and conceded 4, so their margin for error is already smaller than that of a side sitting on 3 points with a positive goal difference. Carlos Queiroz will know that a second straight controlled outing would give Ghana another step forward in World Cup Group L, while Zlatko Dalic will be asking Croatia to make their home setting count. That contrast between recovery and consolidation is what gives Round 3 its edge.
For Cyprus readers, this is the kind of fixture that rewards attention from the first whistle: one team protecting a better opening, the other trying to repair a damaged start, and both carrying standings pressure that can be measured directly in the table. Ghana's 2nd place and Croatia's 4th place tell the story before kickoff even arrives. If Croatia can close the defensive gap they have already shown, they can change the shape of their campaign; if Ghana keep their early control, they will remain the side dictating the group picture.
The shape of the contest is therefore set by the table as much as the venue, with Croatia needing points and Ghana defending their early lead in World Cup Group L Round 3.
That's it! The referee blows the final whistle
Goal kick for Croatia
Abdul Fatawu from Ghana sends an effort wide of target
Abdul Fatawu goes for goal, but the shot lacks precision and sails wide
Space opens up for Abdul Fatawu but his finish goes wide of the target. Could have done better there.
Chance! Abdul Fatawu finds some room for a shot but fails to work the keeper. It's a goal kick
Marin Pongracic relieves the pressure with a clearance
Ghana are in control of the ball.
Ghana take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Ernest Nuamah from Ghana intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Ball possession: Croatia: 53%, Ghana: 47%.
Luka Modric from Croatia takes a short corner kick from the left.
Marvin Senaya from Ghana intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Yellow card for Kojo Peprah Oppong
Kojo Peprah Oppong is shown a yellow card by the referee
The referee signals a free kick as Kojo Peprah Oppong from Ghana trips Igor Matanovic
Luka Modric successfully blocks the shot
A shot by Marvin Senaya is blocked
Ghana are in control of the ball.
Goal kick for Ghana
Luka Modric from Croatia takes a short corner kick from the right.
Gideon Mensah relieves the pressure with a clearance
Caleb Yirenkyi successfully blocks the shot
A shot by Mario Pasalic is blocked
The fourth official shows there are 7 minute(s) of time to be added
The referee signals a free kick as Marin Pongracic from Croatia trips Brandon Thomas-Asante
Marvin Senaya from Ghana intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Marvin Senaya from Ghana goes a bit too far there as the pulls down Josko Gvardiol
The referee signals a free kick as Caleb Yirenkyi from Ghana trips Petar Sucic
Ball possession: Croatia: 54%, Ghana: 46%.
Igor Matanovic from Croatia is ruled offside
Antoine Semenyo from Ghana is ruled offside
The game is restarted
Ghana take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Nikola Vlasic is leaving the field to be replaced by Josko Gvardiol in a tactical substitution.
Martin Baturina is leaving the field to be replaced by Marco Pasalic in a tactical substitution.
Antoine Semenyo is down injured and receives medical treatment on the field.
Play has been stopped because there is a player lying on the pitch.
Croatia are in control of the ball.
Derrick Luckassen from Ghana intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Ivan Perisic makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Ball possession: Croatia: 53%, Ghana: 47%.
Kwasi Sibo is leaving the field to be replaced by Caleb Yirenkyi in a tactical substitution.
Kwasi Sibo is penalised for pushing Igor Matanovic
Luka Modric provided the assist for the goal.
G O O O A A A L - Nikola Vlasic Croatia scores with a header.
Luka Modric from Croatia swings in the corner from the right.
Mario Pasalic shoots from outside the box, but Benjamin Asare has it under control
Mario Pasalic tries his luck from distance but his effort ends up safely in the hands of Benjamin Asare
Kwasi Sibo could cost his team a goal after a defensive blunder.
Croatia are trying to create something here.
The referee signals a free kick as Martin Baturina from Croatia trips Marvin Senaya
The referee signals a free kick as Nikola Vlasic from Croatia trips Abdul Fatawu
Ball possession: Croatia: 53%, Ghana: 47%.
Croatia take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Croatia are in control of the ball.
Mateo Kovacic is leaving the field to be replaced by Mario Pasalic in a tactical substitution.
The cross by Ernest Nuamah from Ghana successfully finds a teammate in the box.
GOAL! After a review of the situation, the referee changed the initial decision and awards a goal for Ghana!
VAR - GOAL! - The referee has stopped the play. VAR check in progress, a potential goal for Ghana.
Derrick Luckassen managed to score from an easy position.
Ernest Nuamah provided the assist for the goal.
G O O O A A A L - Derrick Luckassen scores with the left foot!
G O O O O A A A L Ghana score
Kwasi Sibo from Ghana is ruled offside
Marin Pongracic is penalised for pushing Thomas Partey
Ghana take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
The game is restarted
Kamaldeen Sulemana is leaving the field to be replaced by Ernest Nuamah in a tactical substitution.
Jordan Ayew is leaving the field to be replaced by Brandon Thomas-Asante in a tactical substitution.
Ball possession: Croatia: 53%, Ghana: 47%.
Water break. It's hot out there today and the game is paused so the players can take some liquids on-board.
Yellow card for Ivan Perisic
Ivan Perisic is shown a yellow card by the referee
The referee signals a free kick as Ivan Perisic from Croatia trips Abdul Fatawu
Kwasi Sibo makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Today's attendance is 68324
Goal kick for Croatia
Ante Budimir is leaving the field to be replaced by Igor Matanovic in a tactical substitution.
Josip Sutalo from Croatia intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Jordan Ayew swings in the ball from a corner on the left, but it is nowhere near a teammate.
Josip Stanisic from Croatia intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Derrick Luckassen wins an air challenge against Ante Budimir
Ball possession: Croatia: 51%, Ghana: 49%.
Ghana are in control of the ball.
Croatia are in control of the ball.
Josip Sutalo relieves the pressure with a clearance
Kamaldeen Sulemana makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Petar Sucic could cost his team a goal after a defensive blunder.
Croatia are in control of the ball.
Benjamin Asare from Ghana intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Croatia are trying to create something here.
Marvin Senaya from Ghana intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Croatia are trying to create something here.
Ball possession: Croatia: 50%, Ghana: 50%.
Dangerous challenge by Jordan Ayew from Ghana. Dominik Livakovic on the receiving end of that.
Marin Pongracic from Croatia intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Ghana are in control of the ball.
Ghana take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Croatia take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Marin Pongracic makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Croatia take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Luka Modric successfully blocks the shot
A shot by Kamaldeen Sulemana is blocked
Dominik Livakovic from Croatia intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Jordan Ayew swings in the ball from a corner on the left, but it is nowhere near a teammate.
Luka Modric from Croatia intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Ante Budimir is penalised for pushing Derrick Luckassen
Derrick Luckassen relieves the pressure with a clearance
Ball possession: Croatia: 52%, Ghana: 48%.
Safe hands from Benjamin Asare as he comes out and claims the ball
Croatia are trying to create something here.
Ivan Perisic makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
The referee signals a free kick as Marvin Senaya from Ghana trips Martin Baturina
Antoine Semenyo from Ghana is ruled offside
Abdul Fatawu makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Mateo Kovacic could cost his team a goal after a defensive blunder.
Croatia take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Goal kick for Croatia
Ante Budimir from Croatia commits a foul by elbowing Marvin Senaya
Croatia take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Kamaldeen Sulemana makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Ball possession: Croatia: 52%, Ghana: 48%.
Josip Sutalo from Croatia intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Marvin Senaya makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Ghana are in control of the ball.
Croatia take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Marvin Senaya makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Ghana are in control of the ball.
Goal kick for Croatia
Abdul Fatawu fails to find the target with a shot from outside the box
Ghana are trying to create something here.
Ghana are in control of the ball.
Elisha Owusu is leaving the field to be replaced by Abdul Fatawu in a tactical substitution.
Jonas Adjetey is leaving the field to be replaced by Kojo Peprah Oppong in a tactical substitution.
The second half is underway
It's over! The referee blows for half time
Ball possession: Croatia: 54%, Ghana: 46%.
Goal kick for Ghana
Croatia take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Derrick Luckassen from Ghana intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Thomas Partey is penalised for pushing Petar Sucic
The fourth official shows there are 3 minute(s) of time to be added
Elisha Owusu makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Croatia are in control of the ball.
Nikola Vlasic makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Ball possession: Croatia: 52%, Ghana: 48%.
Ghana are in control of the ball.
Jonas Adjetey from Ghana intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Marvin Senaya from Ghana intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
The cross by Petar Sucic from Croatia successfully finds a teammate in the box.
Nikola Vlasic from Croatia goes a bit too far there as the pulls down Gideon Mensah
Goal kick for Croatia
Martin Baturina from Croatia intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Antoine Semenyo wins an air challenge against Ivan Perisic
Ghana are in control of the ball.
Croatia are in control of the ball.
Goal kick for Croatia
Antoine Semenyo from Ghana sends a shot inches wide of the post. Close!
Ghana are trying to create something here.
Ghana take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Josip Sutalo relieves the pressure with a clearance
Ball possession: Croatia: 52%, Ghana: 48%.
Goal kick for Ghana
Croatia are in control of the ball.
Elisha Owusu successfully blocks the shot
A shot by Mateo Kovacic is blocked
Gideon Mensah from Ghana intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Croatia take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Croatia take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Croatia take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Ball possession: Croatia: 48%, Ghana: 52%.
Dangerous challenge by Kwasi Sibo from Ghana. Martin Baturina on the receiving end of that.
Marin Pongracic makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Ghana are in control of the ball.
Ghana take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Ivan Perisic from Croatia intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Ghana are in control of the ball.
Ghana are in control of the ball.
Mateo Kovacic provided the assist for the goal.
G O O O A A A L - Petar Sucic from Croatia beats the keeper from outside the box with the right foot!
Croatia are trying to create something here.
Ivan Perisic sends a header towards goal, but Benjamin Asare is there to comfortably save it
The cross by Luka Modric from Croatia successfully finds a teammate in the box.
Ball possession: Croatia: 48%, Ghana: 52%.
The referee signals a free kick as Elisha Owusu from Ghana trips Martin Baturina
Mateo Kovacic makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Marvin Senaya wins an air challenge against Martin Baturina
Croatia are in control of the ball.
Croatia take a throw-in in their own half of the field
The game is restarted
Water break. It's hot out there today and the game is paused so the players can take some liquids on-board.
Ball possession: Croatia: 49%, Ghana: 51%.
The referee signals a free kick as Ante Budimir from Croatia trips Thomas Partey
Derrick Luckassen makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Marin Pongracic makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Thomas Partey makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Elisha Owusu could cost his team a goal after a defensive blunder.
Benjamin Asare from Ghana intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
The referee signals a free kick as Marvin Senaya from Ghana trips Luka Modric
Croatia take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Croatia are in control of the ball.
Goal kick for Ghana
A chance presents itself to Marin Pongracic from Croatia but his header goes wide
Marin Pongracic wins an air challenge against Jonas Adjetey
The cross by Luka Modric from Croatia successfully finds a teammate in the box.
Kwasi Sibo from Ghana goes a bit too far there as the pulls down Petar Sucic
Ball possession: Croatia: 50%, Ghana: 50%.
Croatia are in control of the ball.
Ghana take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Croatia take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Ghana are trying to create something here.
Goal kick for Ghana
Close! Nikola Vlasic with a great hit from long range that bounces off the post!
Croatia start a counter attack
Ghana take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Derrick Luckassen wins an air challenge against Ante Budimir
Nikola Vlasic wins an air challenge against Kamaldeen Sulemana
Ball possession: Croatia: 42%, Ghana: 58%.
Kwasi Sibo from Ghana intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Croatia are in control of the ball.
Croatia take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Derrick Luckassen from Ghana intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
Croatia are in control of the ball.
Goal kick for Croatia
Ghana are in control of the ball.
Gideon Mensah makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Josip Sutalo makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Ball possession: Croatia: 45%, Ghana: 55%.
Croatia take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Ghana are in control of the ball.
Benjamin Asare from Ghana intercepts a cross aimed towards the box.
The referee signals a free kick as Elisha Owusu from Ghana trips Martin Baturina
Martin Baturina makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Ghana are in control of the ball.
Marin Pongracic makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Ghana are in control of the ball.
Ghana take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Nikola Vlasic makes the tackle and wins possession for his team
Ghana are in control of the ball.
Ball possession: Croatia: 66%, Ghana: 34%.
The referee signals a free kick as Kamaldeen Sulemana from Ghana trips Petar Sucic
Ghana are in control of the ball.
Ghana take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Croatia are in control of the ball.
Croatia take a throw-in in the opponent's half of the field
Ghana take a throw-in in their own half of the field
Croatia are in control of the ball.
The referee signals a free kick as Marvin Senaya from Ghana trips Martin Baturina
Croatia are in control of the ball.
The pitch is in fantastic condition today and the players are enjoying the surface.
Cloudy conditions overhead at the moment.
Croatia kick-off, and the game is underway.
The referee starts the match
Before we get underway, the players and crowd observe a minute's silence.
Welcome to Lincoln Financial Field, the match will start in about 5 minutes.
Welcome to Lincoln Financial Field where the two teams take the field for the start of this match.
Welcome to Lincoln Financial Field where we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the two teams
Welcome to Lincoln Financial Field, where we await the arrival of today's teams.
Welcome to Lincoln Financial Field, now all we need are the two teams.
Welcome to today's crucial game from Lincoln Financial Field. We are awaiting the arrival of both teams, in anticipation of a great match!
Local broadcast partners for Cyprus have not been confirmed at the time of writing. Check official Cyprus broadcast partners or your local rights holder for confirmed coverage.
Kickoff in Cyprus is at 00:00 EEST on 28 June 2026.
Local broadcast partners for Cyprus have not been confirmed at the time of writing. Check official Cyprus broadcast partners or your local rights holder for confirmed coverage.
No injuries or suspensions are listed for Croatia or Ghana.
Croatia and Ghana have no listed head-to-head results in the last 8 meetings: Croatia 0 wins, 0 draws, Ghana 0 wins.
This is World Cup Group L Round 3 at Lincoln Financial Field in the USA.
Status
Finished
Attendance
68,324
Minute
90+3'
Winner
Croatia
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