Ghana 1 – 2 Croatia

WORLDCUP · June 27, 2026 · Final

🎧 Post-Game Report (audio)

Post-Game Recap

Croatia took down Ghana two goals to one in a World Cup clash that had real tension running through it from start to finish. The Croatians came in as the more composed side and it showed — they struck first, seized the lead, and never truly surrendered control of the game. Ghana battled back to level it, and for a stretch it looked like the Black Stars might find a way through, but Croatia had an answer and made it stick. That second goal was the turning point, and Ghana simply couldn't recover.

In the stat sheet, Croatia were the sharper side in front of goal — eight shots to Ghana's six, and four on target compared to just one for the home side. Josip Sutalo was everywhere for Croatia — eighty-two accurate passes and twelve defensive interventions, he was the engine that kept things ticking and locked down at the back. Nikola Vlasic led the attacking threat with two shots on the night. For Ghana, Fatawu Issahaku matched Vlasic with two shots, and Marvin Senaya put in a hard shift with eleven defensive interventions, but the Black Stars couldn't convert when it counted — their goalkeeper made two saves, Croatia's made none.

Croatia controlled possession at fifty-three percent and were simply more clinical when the moments arrived. Ghana gave everything but came up short on the biggest stage. That's your post-game report. Sports Desk, signing off.

AI-generated post-game report composed from the official play-by-play and box score.

Complete Play-by-Play

Show all 92 plays

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

First Half begins.

Foul by Marvin Senaya (Ghana). 1'

Martin Baturina (Croatia) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 1'

Foul by Kamaldeen Sulemana (Ghana). 4'

Petar Sucic (Croatia) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 4'

Martin Baturina (Croatia) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 8'

Foul by Elisha Owusu (Ghana). 8'

Nikola Vlasic (Croatia) hits the left post with a right footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Martin Baturina following a fast break. 17'

Petar Sucic (Croatia) wins a free kick on the right wing. 20'

Foul by Kwasi Sibo (Ghana). 20'

Attempt missed. Marin Pongracic (Croatia) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Luka Modric with a cross following a set piece situation. 21'

Foul by Ante Budimir (Croatia). 24'

Thomas Partey (Ghana) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 24'

Delay in match for a drinks break. 25'

Delay over. They are ready to continue. 29'

Martin Baturina (Croatia) wins a free kick on the left wing. 30'

Foul by Elisha Owusu (Ghana). 30'

Attempt saved. Ivan Perisic (Croatia) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Benjamin Asare (Ghana). Assisted by Luka Modric with a cross. 30'

Goal! Croatia 1, Ghana 0. Petar Sucic (Croatia) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Mateo Kovacic. 31'

Martin Baturina (Croatia) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 35'

Foul by Kwasi Sibo (Ghana). 35'

Attempt blocked. Mateo Kovacic (Croatia) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Petar Sucic. 38'

Attempt missed. Antoine Semenyo (Ghana) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Jonas Adjetey. 40'

Gideon Mensah (Ghana) wins a free kick on the left wing. 43'

Foul by Nikola Vlasic (Croatia). 43'

Fourth official has announced 3 minutes of added time. 45'

Foul by Thomas Partey (Ghana). 45'+1'

Petar Sucic (Croatia) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 45'+1'

First Half ends, Croatia 1, Ghana 0. 45'+4'

Substitution, Ghana. Kojo Peprah Oppong replaces Jonas Adjetey. 45'

Substitution, Ghana. Abdul Fatawu replaces Elisha Owusu. 45'

Second Half begins Croatia 1, Ghana 0. 45'

Attempt missed. Abdul Fatawu (Ghana) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Derrick Luckassen. 47'

Foul by Ante Budimir (Croatia). 51'

Marvin Senaya (Ghana) wins a free kick on the right wing. 51'

Offside, Ghana. Antoine Semenyo is caught offside. 53'

Foul by Marvin Senaya (Ghana). 53'

Martin Baturina (Croatia) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 53'

Derrick Luckassen (Ghana) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 55'

Foul by Ante Budimir (Croatia). 55'

Corner, Ghana. Conceded by Luka Modric. 56'

Attempt blocked. Kamaldeen Sulemana (Ghana) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 57'

Dominik Livakovic (Croatia) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 59'

Foul by Jordan Ayew (Ghana). 59'

Corner, Ghana. Conceded by Josip Stanisic. 65'

Substitution, Croatia. Igor Matanovic replaces Ante Budimir. 66'

Abdul Fatawu (Ghana) wins a free kick on the right wing. 68'

Foul by Ivan Perisic (Croatia). 68'

Ivan Perisic (Croatia) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 68'

Delay in match for a drinks break. 69'

Delay over. They are ready to continue. 71'

Substitution, Ghana. Brandon Thomas-Asante replaces Jordan Ayew. 71'

Substitution, Ghana. Ernest Nuamah replaces Kamaldeen Sulemana. 71'

Thomas Partey (Ghana) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 72'

Foul by Marin Pongracic (Croatia). 72'

Goal! Croatia 1, Ghana 1. Derrick Luckassen (Ghana) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ernest Nuamah with a cross following a set piece situation.Goal awarded following VAR Review. 73'

VAR Decision: Goal Croatia 1-1 Ghana (Derrick Luckassen). 76'

Substitution, Croatia. Mario Pasalic replaces Mateo Kovacic. 78'

Abdul Fatawu (Ghana) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 80'

Foul by Nikola Vlasic (Croatia). 80'

Marvin Senaya (Ghana) wins a free kick on the right wing. 81'

Foul by Martin Baturina (Croatia). 81'

Attempt saved. Mario Pasalic (Croatia) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal by Benjamin Asare (Ghana). Assisted by Martin Baturina. 82'

Corner, Croatia. Conceded by Benjamin Asare. 82'

Goal! Croatia 2, Ghana 1. Nikola Vlasic (Croatia) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Luka Modric with a cross following a corner. 83'

Foul by Kwasi Sibo (Ghana). 84'

Igor Matanovic (Croatia) wins a free kick on the left wing. 84'

Substitution, Ghana. Caleb Yirenkyi replaces Kwasi Sibo. 85'

Delay in match because of an injury Antoine Semenyo (Ghana). 87'

Substitution, Croatia. Josko Gvardiol replaces Nikola Vlasic. 88'

Substitution, Croatia. Marco Pasalic replaces Martin Baturina. 88'

Delay over. They are ready to continue. 88'

Offside, Croatia. Igor Matanovic is caught offside. 89'

Offside, Ghana. Antoine Semenyo is caught offside. 90'

Foul by Caleb Yirenkyi (Ghana). 90'

Petar Sucic (Croatia) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90'

Fourth official has announced 7 minutes of added time. 90'+1'

Foul by Marvin Senaya (Ghana). 90'+1'

Josko Gvardiol (Croatia) wins a free kick on the left wing. 90'+1'

Brandon Thomas-Asante (Ghana) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90'+2'

Foul by Marin Pongracic (Croatia). 90'+2'

Attempt blocked. Mario Pasalic (Croatia) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Luka Modric. 90'+2'

Corner, Croatia. Conceded by Gideon Mensah. 90'+2'

Attempt blocked. Marvin Senaya (Ghana) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ernest Nuamah. 90'+4'

Foul by Kojo Peprah Oppong (Ghana). 90'+4'

Kojo Peprah Oppong (Ghana) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 90'+4'

Igor Matanovic (Croatia) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90'+4'

Corner, Croatia. Conceded by Marvin Senaya. 90'+5'

Attempt missed. Abdul Fatawu (Ghana) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Gideon Mensah. 90'+7'

Second Half ends, Croatia 2, Ghana 1. 90'+8'

Match ends, Croatia 2, Ghana 1.