Luka Modric became the oldest player to register an assist at a FIFA World Cup since 1966, aged 40 years and 291 days, as Croatia secured a 2-1 victory over Ghana in Philadelphia on Saturday. The win confirmed Croatia's place in the Round of 32, finishing second in Group L behind England.
Modric's historic assist seals victory
Modric delivered the decisive corner in the 83rd minute, which Nikola Vlasic headed home to break a 1-1 deadlock. The milestone assist came after Ghana had equalised through Derrick Luckassen in the second half. According to FIFA, Modric's assist is the oldest recorded since detailed World Cup statistics began in 1966.
Petar Sucic enters Croatia record books
Earlier, 22-year-old Petar Sucic scored a spectacular long-range strike in the 31st minute to put Croatia ahead. At 22 years and 245 days, Sucic became Croatia's second-youngest goalscorer at a World Cup, trailing only Josko Gvardiol, who scored against Morocco at the 2022 tournament aged 20 years and 328 days. Sucic's goal was his first in a World Cup match.
Match summary: Croatia 2-1 Ghana
Croatia dominated the first half and took a deserved lead through Sucic's powerful shot that nestled into the bottom-left corner. Ghana responded after the break with greater urgency and equalised in the 68th minute when Luckassen headed home from Ernest Nuamah's free-kick. The goal was subject to a four-minute VAR review for a potential offside but was ultimately allowed. Croatia's winner came from Modric's precise corner, with Vlasic rising above the Ghana defence to power in the header seven minutes from time.
Group L standings and knockout stage implications
England topped Group L with a 2-0 win over Panama, while Ghana advanced as one of the best third-placed teams. Scotland were eliminated. Croatia will face an opponent yet to be determined in the Round of 32. Ghana will meet the winners of Group K, either Portugal or Colombia, in Kansas City on Friday. Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic praised the blend of youth and experience in his squad, noting that Sucic's emergence alongside Modric's leadership bodes well for the knockout rounds.
