Croatia fans hold up a match day scarf inside the stadium | Photo Credit: Reuters

Croatia probably need a draw against Ghana to secure a spot in the last 32, but attacker Ivan Perisic is confident in his side’s record against African opposition. Ghana enter the final Group L matchday on four points, while Croatia have three.

Croatia dropped Josko Gvardiol in one of three changes for the final World Cup ‌Group L match. Coach Zlatko Dalic gives starts to Ante Budimir and Nikola Vlasic for ‌the first time in this World Cup, and forward Petar Sucic gets a recall. Ghana, who have booked their place in the next ‌round, also made three switches, ⁠leaving out forward Inaki Williams.

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Attacker Perisic also was unsure whether Ghana’s low-block approach, a staple of several Carlos Queiroz-managed World Cup sides, would continue. “They are a very good team,” he said. “Very compact. Perhaps ⁠they played the lower block in the past two matches. Given ⁠that, maybe they might be changing or something, but we have to be ready for both options.”

Published - June 28, 2026 02:28 am IST