TORONTO (AP) — There wasn’t much open space in Panama’s back line as it tried to keep its World Cup hopes alive.
But just four minutes after Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić subbed on an extra forward in the second half, Josip Stanišić validated his coach’s decision, finding some room on the right and making his move.
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Panama’s Andres Andrade (16) tries reach the ball during the World Cup Group L soccer match between Panama and Croatia in Toronto, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Croatia’s Ante Budimir (centre) celebrates his goal against Panama with Ivan Perisic (14) and Martin Baturina (16) during the second half of a World Cup Group L soccer match, in Toronto, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Croatia’s Luka Modric, center right, celebrates with Ivan Perisic after defeating Panama as teammates wear shirts honouring his 200th appearance for Croatia following a World Cup Group L soccer match, in Toronto, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Croatia’s Mateo Kovacic (8) and Panama’s Jose Fajardo (17) vie for the ball during the World Cup Group L soccer match between Panama and Croatia in Toronto, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Croatia’s Ante Budimir (11) celebrates a goal against Panama during the second half of a World Cup Group L soccer match, in Toronto, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Stanišić lifted an exceptional curving cross onto the boot of Ante Budimir, who tapped it into an open net in the 54th minute, lifting Croatia to a 1-0 win on Tuesday night.
Croatia remains in contention for the knockout round ahead of its third and final group-stage match against Ghana on Saturday. Panama was eliminated and is still seeking its first World Cup point in two appearances.
“This was very difficult and I didn’t expect that it was going to be such a difficult match, to be honest,” Dalić said. “We didn’t react the best, and perhaps it could be due to the pressure because we really needed these three points.”
Three minutes after Budimir scored, the Vatreni nearly added another goal when 40-year-old Luka Modrić — making his 200th international appearance — passed ahead to Marco Pašalić on a breakaway, but Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera blocked Pašalić’s shot.
“I was quite surprised by the quality (of Panama),” Dalić said.
Modrić, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner as the best player in Europe, has led Croatia to World Cup finishes of runner-up (2018) and third place (2022). He got a postgame tribute from his teammates after his milestone cap.
Croatia players donned black T-shirts that bore Modrić’s image and read “200” in gold, with the zeros linked to resemble the mathematical symbol for infinity. They took a lap around the pitch together.
“Everybody knows what he means to us,” defender Marin Pongračić said. “He’s our captain, he’s our leader, and he’s the biggest legend of Croatian football, and we are witnessing him, and just him as a person, how humble he is. What a mindset, what a mentality.”
Panama had three straight chances in the 67th minute to knot things up, after Cristian Martinez slid to keep the ball in play in the corner. Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livaković then made a trio of dazzling saves; on the third, he just managed to get a hand on the ball and send it over the net.
“These are the kind of matches where you get the feeling that you’re dominating, that you might score a goal,” Martinez said. “But then they have one chance and they score. These aren’t teams that need much to score a goal.”
Group L will be decided on Saturday, with England and Ghana tied at four points and Croatia with three. England will face Los Canaleros in East Rutherford, New Jersey, while Ghana and Croatia will play in Philadelphia.
Lexie Linderman is a student in the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism at Penn State.
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
Panama’s Andres Andrade (16) tries reach the ball during the World Cup Group L soccer match between Panama and Croatia in Toronto, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Croatia’s Ante Budimir (centre) celebrates his goal against Panama with Ivan Perisic (14) and Martin Baturina (16) during the second half of a World Cup Group L soccer match, in Toronto, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Croatia’s Luka Modric, center right, celebrates with Ivan Perisic after defeating Panama as teammates wear shirts honouring his 200th appearance for Croatia following a World Cup Group L soccer match, in Toronto, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Croatia’s Mateo Kovacic (8) and Panama’s Jose Fajardo (17) vie for the ball during the World Cup Group L soccer match between Panama and Croatia in Toronto, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Croatia’s Ante Budimir (11) celebrates a goal against Panama during the second half of a World Cup Group L soccer match, in Toronto, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Cameron Boozer sees himself as a perfect addition to the Memphis Grizzlies’ latest rebuilding project.
The Grizzlies selected the Duke forward with the third pick in the NBA draft Tuesday night, adding another high pick for a third straight year. Boozer joins 7-foot-3 center Zach Edey, the ninth overall pick in 2024, and Cedric Coward, the 11th selection a year ago and member of the All-NBA rookie team.
The 6-8, 253-pound Boozer is the son of former Duke and NBA player Carlos Boozer. He was the fifth freshman voted AP men’s national player of the year. Now Cameron Boozer joins Edey, a two-time AP men’s national player of the year, in Memphis’ front court.
“I think we automatically become one of the best rebounding duos in the league,” Boozer said. “His size is unmatched. … I mean he’s just a big dude. It’s going to be exciting to see what different types of things we can do. Really mess up other teams and cause some mismatches for sure.”
Memphis also added forward Karim Lopez at No. 21 after twice trading back from No. 16 in a series of moves that returned five future second-round picks.
The swaps started when the Grizzlies picked guard Bennett Stirtz of Iowa with the 16th pick and traded him to Oklahoma City for the No. 17 pick and two second-rounders. Then it traded that pick to Detroit for the 21st pick and three more future second-rounders. The deals were confirmed to The Associated Press by a person who spoke on condition of anonymity because they can’t be finalized until July 6.
The 6-8 Lopez is a native of Mexico who played two seasons in Australia’s National Basketball League’s “Next Stars” developmental program that produced lottery picks LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey and Alex Sarr in recent years. Lopez just turned 19 in April.
“A lot of great young players,” Boozer said. “I think (we’re) going to grow organically. … It’s going to be exciting for sure.”
Carlos Boozer had some advice for him after hearing his name called by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
“Take this moment, enjoy this moment,” Carlos Boozer said. “Obviously be where your feet are. Go enjoy it man, go enjoy it.”
Boozer averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds while helping Duke win 35 games and reach No. 1 in the AP Top 25 poll. The Blue Devils claimed the top overall seed for March Madness and reached the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight.
He showed the kind of toughness the Grizzlies can use after so many injuries over the past couple seasons. Boozer finished a loss to UConn with 27 points despite suffering multiple facial fractures in the first half.
That helped Boozer prove he can finish through contact shooting 55.6% from the floor and also shot 39.1% from 3-point range. Boozer also is a strong passer (4.1 assists), notably assisting on Isaiah Evans’ late 3-pointer to beat reigning national champion Florida.
Memphis kicked this rebuild into gear last summer trading away Desmond Bane and followed up by trading Jaren Jackson Jr. in February.
The only reason two-time All-Star Ja Morant hasn’t joined that exodus was Memphis could not find a good enough deal for the point guard to close out the three core Grizzlies who were supposed to lead the franchise into the future.
Memphis still is expected to move on from Morant with the guard playing only 79 games combined over the last three seasons. Morant could be packaged as part of a move up in this draft by the Grizzlies with two years left on his current contract.
The Grizzlies moved up from sixth to third in the lottery after finishing 25-57 and missing the playoffs for the second time in three years. That record makes it difficult to get a read on coach Tuomas Iisalo, and whether his time in European basketball will translate to NBA success.
Memphis also has shooting guard Jaylen Wells, who has started 143 of 148 games in his first two seasons. He joined Edey on the NBA’s All-Rookie team, and veteran Ty Jerome was added a year ago as another guard option.
AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds and Associated Press freelance reporter Clay Bailey contributed to this report.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba
Karim López arrives for the first round of the NBA basketball draft Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Cameron Boozer arrives for the first round of the NBA basketball draft Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Cameron Boozer arrives for the first round of the NBA basketball draft Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Cameron Boozer gestures as he walks off the stage after being chosen by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Cameron Boozer, right, poses for a photo with Adam Silver, left, NBA Commissioner, after being selected by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)