Ante Budimir's 54th-minute header proved decisive as Croatia edged past Panama 1-0 in their World Cup opener, the veteran forward turning in Josip Stanišić's cross to settle a cagey affair and set up a meeting with Portugal in the next round. Neither side could find any rhythm in a forgettable first half, with both defences well organised and clear chances at a premium.
Panama 0:1 Croatia — Match Report
Gary RedknappFootball AnalystMATCH REPORTFirst half0 - 0
Second half0 - 1
- 61(Foul)
- 90 + 2(Foul)
Live Prediction
Croatia to winWon1.15
CheckLive AI™ · Full-timeBETA
FT0–1P
−14.8Strong edge
C
Croatia to win
WonQuestions & Answers
What was the final score of Panama vs Croatia?
Panama 0-1 Croatia (World Cup).
Who scored?
Ante Budimir (54', assist Josip Stanišić) for Croatia.
Was Croatia's win deserved?
It was close — an evenly matched game.
Were there any cards in Panama vs Croatia?
Yellow cards: Yoel Bárcenas (Panama); Petar Sucic (Croatia).
Where people bet the most today
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Betting volume5.5K
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Head to Head meetings
Panama – Croatia
Panama
Croatia
- 0
Victories
- 0
Draws
- 1
Victories
| label | first team | second team |
|---|---|---|
Victories |  0 | 1  |
Scored goals | 0 | 1 |
Average per game | 0 | 1 |
The biggest victory | 0 | 0-1 |
Panama
Croatia
Best statistical picks
Panama – Croatia
Goals over the last 10 matches favour Over 2.5
Both teams scored in 5 of the last 6 matches
Corners over the last 10 matches favour Under 9.5
Cards over the last 10 matches favour Over 3.5
Cards over the last 10 matches favour Under 3.5
AICheckLive AI Bot
Model verdict, form, head-to-head and live pressure for this match. Ask anything in Telegram.
Ask the AI bot about this matchOdds
| 1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 7.50 | 4.60 | 1.42 |
There is no enough info about formation in this moment. Checklive again later
◆ CheckLive verdict
Slight edge — Croatia
CheckLive's preview tilts narrowly toward Croatia — the Europeans hold a small but meaningful edge in mental composure and recent form. Panama's home crowd and aggressive pressing keep the contest open; expect a nervy, low-scoring match where one moment decides the outcome.
Over 3.52.63
Medium confidence56%
Three CheckLive metrics
CheckForm
56.9
58.3
CheckSkill
56.8
56.9
CheckMental
69
73.2
CheckLive total59.3 vs 60.7+1.4
More match signals
Over 4.563%4.50
Both teams to score — Yes62%1.91
Home win — Panama50%7.50
Today's market odds.
All both teams to score predictions →Frequently Asked Questions
Who will win between Panama and Croatia in the World Cup?
Croatia are slight favourites, with the model assigning them a 56% win probability. Their mental edge and tournament experience give them an advantage, but Panama's home support and direct style make an upset possible. The match is expected to be tight, likely decided by a single goal.
Which team has better form heading into this match?
Croatia hold a marginal form advantage, posting a 58.3 rating against Panama's 56.9. Both sides have been inconsistent — Panama alternated wins and losses in their last five, while Croatia lost three of five but against stronger opponents. Recent results suggest neither can be fully trusted.
Will both teams score in the Panama vs Croatia match?
Both teams have porous defences — Panama have conceded 11 goals in their last five games, Croatia also 11. This suggests goals are likely at both ends. The BTTS market looks appealing, though a low-scoring script (under 2.5 total goals) also fits given the stakes.
Head to Head meetings
/
/
- 0
Victories
- 0
Draws
- 0
Victories
| label | first team | second team |
|---|---|---|
Victories |  0 | 0 |
Scored goals | 0 | 0 |
Average per game | 0 | 0 |
The biggest victory | 0 | 0 |
Odds
| 1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 7.50 | 4.60 | 1.42 |