Ghana Advance To World Cup Last 32 Despite 2-1 Defeat to Croatia

Ghana Advance To World Cup Last 32 Despite 2-1 Defeat to Croatia

By Our Reporter 

Ghana booked their place in the FIFA World Cup last 32 despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in their final Group L match at Philadelphia Stadium on Saturday, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Black Stars entered the contest having already secured qualification for the knockout stage, but needed at least a draw to guarantee a top-two finish in the group. Instead, the defeat saw them progress as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

Croatia took the lead in the 31st minute through Petar Sučić, whose powerful right-footed strike from outside the penalty area found the bottom-left corner beyond the outstretched dive of goalkeeper Benjamin Asare.

Ghana nearly responded before the break when Antoine Semenyo created space inside the box, but his effort drifted narrowly wide of Dominik Livaković's right-hand post.

The Black Stars eventually restored parity in the 73rd minute through defender Derrick Luckassen, who converted from a set-piece. The goal was initially ruled out for offside before a lengthy VAR review overturned the decision and awarded the equaliser.

At that stage, Ghana briefly occupied second place in the group, aided by England's 2-0 lead over Panama in the other Group L fixture.

However, Croatia reclaimed both the lead and second place with six minutes remaining. Nikola Vlašić rose highest to head home from a corner in the 84th minute, sealing a crucial victory for the Europeans.

England finished top of Group L with seven points, followed by Croatia on six. Ghana ended the group stage with four points, enough to secure one of the tournament's best third-placed qualification spots, while Panama exited the competition without a point.

The Black Stars will now look to build on their progress as they return to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 2010. Ghana previously reached the Round of 16 on their tournament debut in 2006 before making history four years later by becoming only the third African nation to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.