Philadelpiha – Croatia has reached the knockout phase of the World Cup for the third time in a row with some trepidation. The 2018 World Cup runners-up and third in 2022 finished Group L second after a hard-fought 2-1 win against Ghana with six points, behind England (7) and ahead of Ghana (4) and Panama (0). Nikola Vlasic (83rd) headed the Croatians into the round of 16 in Houston (Texas). Croatia and Ghana will each face opponents from Group K – either Portugal or Colombia.
