Panama vs Croatia Prediction & Picks - World Cup
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by Mikaella McIntosh | in World Cup Picks
Two teams that both lost their opening matches in Group L will go in search of redemption in Toronto, where Panama and Croatia will do business. Can either team put maximum points on the board at the second time of asking?
For Panama, there was no opening-game joy, but the performance of Thomas Christiansen’s men wasn’t at all bad, especially from an intensity point of view. This will likely be a tougher test defensively, though, so if they do get their chances, this time, they’ll need to be less wasteful. The Croats weren’t wasteful, but they did look weak at the back, so they’ll be looking to tighten up.
With both teams desperate to get a good result here, and with the Croats likely to really push for the win, an open game is expected, and ‘Over 2.5 Goals’ looks like the best bet.
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Panama vs Croatia Form
Table
| Teams | Pts | P | W | D | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3
|
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
|
4
|
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 |
Panama and Croatia Latest Matches
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 17, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 6, 2026 - International Friendlies
Jun 3, 2026 - International Friendlies
May 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 27, 2026 - International Friendlies
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 6, 2026 - International Friendlies
Jun 3, 2026 - International Friendlies
Jan 22, 2026 - International Friendlies
Nov 18, 2025 - World Cup
Oct 14, 2025 - World Cup
Sep 8, 2025 - World Cup
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 17, 2026 - World Cup
May 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 27, 2026 - International Friendlies
Jan 18, 2026 - International Friendlies
Nov 13, 2025 - World Cup
3/6 (50%)
0/6 (0%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 17, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 7, 2026 - International Friendlies
Jun 2, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 26, 2026 - International Friendlies
Nov 17, 2025 - World Cup
5/6 (83%)
0/6 (0%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 7, 2026 - International Friendlies
Jun 2, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 26, 2026 - International Friendlies
Nov 14, 2025 - World Cup
Oct 12, 2025 - World Cup
Sep 8, 2025 - World Cup
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 17, 2026 - World Cup
Mar 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Nov 17, 2025 - World Cup
Oct 9, 2025 - World Cup
Sep 5, 2025 - World Cup
Jun 6, 2025 - World Cup
Panama - Croatia: Form Analysis
There was plenty of promise to Panama’s early-game efforts against Ghana, with the Central Americans getting on the front foot from the off, creating a couple of decent openings. They couldn’t take those openings, but their overall performance suggests that, at the very least, they can make this a tough test for the Croats.
There was plenty of promise to Panama’s early-game efforts against Ghana.
Defending wasn’t really an issue for Panama, who only conceded late on against Ghana, but for the Croats, there was an alarming lack of defensive security on show against the Three Lions. We’ve seen previous Croatia teams be really disciplined, but they were anything but in that opening game, playing a far too open game. Fortunately, such tactics aren’t likely to prove as costly against a less accomplished offensive team such as Panama, though you wouldn’t bank on a Croatian clean sheet after that effort in Dallas.
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Croatia v Panama last Lineups
Formation : 3 - 4 - 3
Formation : 3 - 4 - 3
Substitutes
L. Mejia
C. Samudio
DefenderE. Farina
J. Gutierrez
E. Davis
R. Miller
F. Escobar
MidfielderA. Carrasquilla
A. Godoy
I. Diaz
C. Yanis
A. Quintero
ForwardT. Rodriguez
J. Fajardo
A. Londono
I. Pandur
D. Kotarski
DefenderD. Caleta-Car
M. Erlic
M. Pongracic
K. Jakic
MidfielderT. Fruk
M. Kovacic
N. Vlasic
N. Moro
L. Sucic
ForwardI. Matanovic
M. Pasalic
A. Budimir
A. Kramaric
Panama & Croatia Squad Analysis
Panama boss Thomas Christiansen probably didn’t give his players a total hammering after that defeat against Ghana, and the long-time head coach couldn’t fault the efforts levels, so we should see a similar team take to the field in Toronto. Ismael Diaz looked threatening when he came on in the second half last time out, so he could come in for the Central Americans.
Marco Pasalic impressed off the bench against England and could come in from the start.
Will the Croats switch things up? Possibly. For the first time in his long and incredible international career, veteran midfielder Luka Modric showed his age against the English, failing to dominate as he previously did. Fortunately, this should be less demanding, so the 40-year-old is expected to continue centrally. Marco Pasalic impressed off the bench against England and could come in from the start.
Panama - Croatia Key Points
- Three or more goals have been scored in seven of Croatia’s last eight games.
- When Panama last played a top-20 team, eight goals were scored.
- At least three goals have been scored in four of Croatia’s five matches in 2026.
- Six goals were scored when the Croats took to the field for the first time at this World Cup.
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Our Panama vs Croatia Prediction
Do odds of +102 accurately reflect the chances of a relatively high-scoring game unfolding in Toronto? Probably not. The Croats will absolutely see this as a chance to score goals and build momentum, while the Panama players should also fancy themselves in the final third, especially after seeing how open their opponents were last time out.
Not only were six goals scored in Croatia’s first game, but seven of their last eight games have contained at least three goals. Whenever the Panamanians have played higher-ranked teams in recent times, the goals have also gone in, with eight being scored when they recently met Brazil. Expect the goals to flow.
Our Panama vs Croatia Pick: Over 2.5 Goals.
Panama vs Croatia - Other Interesting Picks
Croatia to Win
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Panama vs Croatia match : Frequently asked questions
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
