Ghana and Croatia both need one point from the clash in Philadelphia tonight. Follow all the action with our live commentary!
Like his counterpart on the opposite bench, Carlos Queiroz has made three changes to Ghana’s starting eleven from the 0-0 draw with England. Elisha Owusu, Derrick Luckassen and Kamaldeen Sulemana replace Caleb Yirenkyi, Jerome Opoku and Inaki Williams. In attack, Jordan Ayew is making his ninth World Cup appearance for Ghana – only Asamoah Gyan (11) and his brother André Ayew (10) have more for the national team.
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Croatia manager Zlatko Dalić has also made three changes to the team that faced Panama. Nikola Vlašić, Petar Sučić and goalscorer Ante Budimir come in, while Joško Gvardiol, Marco Pašalić and Petar Musa go on the bench. After reaching the milestone of 200 caps in the previous match, Luka Modrić will start his 22nd World Cup appearance. Ivan Perišić participates for the 21st time in a championship.
GHANA’S SUBSTITUTES: Joseph Anang, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Abdul Mumin, Abdul Rahman Baba, Alidu Seidu, Jerome Opoku, Kojo Peprah Oppong, Caleb Yirenkyi, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Ernest Nuamah, Abdul Fatawu, Augustine Boakye, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Inaki Williams, Prince Adu.
GHANA (4-1-2-3): Benjamin Asare – Marvin Senaya, Jonas Adjetey, Derrick Luckassen, Gideon Mensah – Kwasi Sibo – Elisha Owusu, Thomas Partey – Kamaldeen Sulemana, Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo.
CROATIA’S SUBSTITUTES: Dominik Kotarski, Ivor Pandur, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Joško Gvardiol, Luka Vušković, Martin Erlić, Andrej Kramarić, Kristijan Jakić, Luka Sučić, Marco Pašalić, Mario Pašalić, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk, Igor Matanović, Petar Musa.
CROATIA (4-2-3-1): Dominik Livaković – Josip Stanišić, Jošip Šutalo, Marin Pongračić, Ivan Perišić – Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić – Nikola Vlašić, Petar Sučić, Martin Baturina – Ante Budimir.
PRE-MATCH INSIGHTS
- Luka Modrić makes his 22nd World Cup appearance.
- Ivan Perišić makes his 20th World Cup appearance.
- Mateo Kovačić makes his 18th World Cup appearance.
- Ghana have kept a clean sheet in their last five games.
- There have been three or more goals scored in each of Croatia’s last four home games.
MATCH PREVIEW
Croatia will face Ghana in a World Cup group match at the Philadelphia Stadium on Saturday, where Ghana will try to secure a place in the last eight.
Croatia’s last group game ended with a 1-0 win over Panama on June 23 – Ante Budimir was the match-winner. In six games this year, they have three wins and three losses.
Ghana drew 0-0 with England in their last match on June 23 at the Boston Stadium, extending their unbeaten streak to three games. In 2026, they have won one, drawn two and lost three.
Ghana are second in the group with four points, while Croatia’s three points put them in third place. Ghana are on their way to the last eight, while Croatia is still fighting for a place among the top three teams.
Martin Baturina, Petar Musa and Budimir have been responsible for Croatia’s big moments at the World Cup – they are the team’s top scorers with one goal each. Caleb Yirenkyi is Ghana’s most prolific player with one goal in the tournament.
In their last six games, Croatia have won three and lost three. They have scored eight goals and conceded 11. Ghana have won one, drawn two and lost three – with four goals scored and ten conceded.
Ghana face Croatia tonight with the knowledge that a draw will be enough to advance to the last eight. Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with England has put Queiroz’s men on the brink of qualification, but they still have plenty of work to do against the 2018 finalists and 2022 semi-finalists.
Croatia bounced back from their opening loss to England by beating Panama, and a draw could also be enough to advance as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams. Luka Modrić makes his 201st international match tonight.
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