Croatia holds off Ghana 2-1 to secure World Cup last-32 berth in Group L

PHILADELPHIA, United States (AFP) — Croatia turned back a spirited Ghana rally to win 2-1 on Saturday, taking second place in Group L and a berth in the World Cup last 32.

Petar Sucic gave the 2018 finalists the lead before the interval, and after Derrick Luckassen drew Ghana level, Nikola Vlasic nodded in a late winner. Croatia will next face the Group K runner-up in Toronto on Thursday.

For much of the day, Croatia appeared headed for top spot in the pool until England moved ahead against Panama in the other Group L fixture. Jude Bellingham put Thomas Tuchel's side in front in the second half, and England went on to win 2-0, claiming first place and leaving Croatia in second.

Ghana had already secured passage to the last 32 before kickoff in Philadelphia, having beaten Panama and held England in their opening two games. The result still marked their third trip to the knockout rounds at a World Cup.

Croatia created the first meaningful opening in the 17th minute when Vlasic collected the ball in space outside the area and fired low against the outside of the post. Just after the half-hour, Sucic tried his luck from roughly 30 yards. The Inter Milan midfielder's strike went through Luckassen's legs and beyond a partly unsighted Benjamin Asare. It was only Sucic's second goal for his country.

Ghana responded with greater urgency. Antoine Semenyo broke into the box in the 40th minute but dragged his shot wide of the far post. Manager Carlos Queiroz made changes at the break, sending on winger Abdul Fatawu for the more defensive Elisha Owusu. Fatawu immediately looked to attack and lifted a shot over the bar.

The Black Stars carried the greater threat after the restart. Manchester City forward Semenyo threw himself at a Fatawu cross on 50 minutes but could not quite reach the ball at the near post.

Ghana's pressure produced an equalizer in the 73rd minute when Luckassen finished smartly with his left foot from a set piece. Officials took about four minutes before confirming the goal. It was Luckassen's first strike for Ghana and the fourth by a member of his family at this tournament; his brother Brian Brobbey has scored three times for the Netherlands in the group stage.

Croatia struck back almost at once. In the 82nd minute, Mario Pasalic looked set to score until Asare produced a fine save. From the corner that followed, Luka Modric swung in a delivery that found Vlasic in space, and the forward headed Croatia back in front and into the knockout phase as Group L runners-up.