Croatia's Mateo Kovacic and Luka Modric during training.
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Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic called on his team to act like favourites and improve in defence when they face Panama in a World Cup clash neither team can afford to lose.Dalic had a few choice words for his team after their 4-2 defeat by England in their World Cup opener, saying he witnessed the worst-executed set pieces since he took over as coach. If Croatia lose to Panama and Ghana avoid defeat against England they will be eliminated at the group stage.Croatia’s Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic is ready for the challenge and is banking on the national team’s big-match pedigree to make it to the knockout stage.The limelight will also be on Croatia captain Luka Modric as the AC Milan midfielder makes his 200th international appearance.Follow live updates here:June 24, 2026 03:08 LineupLineups are announced and players are warming up. Published - June 24, 2026 03:40 am IST
