Why Toronto soccer fans should feel for Panama after FIFA World Cup loss to Croatia

The Canal Men may have lost 1-0 to Croatia at Toronto Stadium on Tuesday, but their heart and effort should have won over fans.

Published Jun 23, 2026  •  Last updated 12 minutes ago  •  3 minute read

Ante Budimir of Croatia scores his team's goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match against Panama at Toronto Stadium. Photo by Michael Reaves/ /Getty Images

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Panama may have faced overwhelming odds against Croatia in their FIFA World Cup matchup on Tuesday night, but it was far from being overwhelmed on the pitch.

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And after watching the Central American side fall 1-0 at Toronto Stadium, local soccer fans should feel a disappointed that Panama’s dreams of advancing have been put to bed.

But while they didn’t end up winning either of their matches here, they surely won over many in attendance or watching at home.

How did Panama and Croatia match up?

Heading into the tournament, Croatia had been ranked 15th in the world by FIFA while Panama sat 25 places behind at No. 40.

The past World Cup results of the two nations couldn’t be more different, either. Croatia reached the final in 2018 and then finished third in 2022, while the Canaleros have yet to record a point in this, their second World Cup.

If you take a look at the countries’ ability to produce world-class players, there’s another clear gulf between the two sides. Croatia’s starting XI featured a former Ballon d’Or winner in Luka Modric — who was making his 200th appearance for his national team — and several other players starting for the best teams in Europe. Panama, on the other hand, has seldom produced any sort of soccer star.

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While there was a hardy contingent of fans of the Latin American nation, mostly located in the temporary seating on the north side of the field at Toronto Stadium, the crowd appeared overwhelmingly in the European side’s favour on Tuesday night.

Prior to the match, thousands of Croatian supporters had paraded towards the stadium, a sea of red-and-white checkerboard patterns you would have to see to believe.

What happened during the game?

But all of this is why the way Tuesday’s game unfolded was once so gutting.

Panama defended well early on, putting every man behind the ball in their own half, forcing Croatia to attempt to unlock their defence — which they couldn’t accomplish.

When they got on the ball, there was no shortage of chances either. Panama had a couple of free kicks in somewhat dangerous areas and created a few dangerous chances on a counter attack.

Jose Luis Rodriguez even had the best chance of the first half, seeing his header in close pushed onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.

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Through the first half, Croatia may have had more possession and dominated in pass statistics, but it was Panama that looked more dangerous.

What was the game-changing moment?

That all changed after the break. Croatian manager Zlatko Dalic made a pair of substitutions, bringing on Ante Budimir and Andrej Kramaric, to great effect.

After applying some real pressure, Josip Stanisic was able to swing a cross into the box, which Budimir deflected into the back of net to open the scoring.

Not long after, Modric was able to spring Marco Pasalic on a breakaway, but the winger couldn’t beat the goalkeeper.

Despite applying all the pressure it could, Panama was unable to beat Livakovic, who made several big saves during a particularly feisty stretch of play immediately before the second-half hydration break.

But that was just it for Panama. Despite all the heart and effort, it wasn’t enough in the end.

Why should Toronto care about Panama’s loss?

Panama had been the lone nation to call Canada its home away from home during the World Cup, setting up camp just over an hour north of Toronto in Alliston at Nottawasaga Resort.

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And, despite the odds being against them, it showed the type of fight and effort that should be applauded.

During their first matchup of the World Cup, which took place here last Wednesday, it was injury-time heartbreak after Ghana’s Caleb Yirenkyi scored the winner in the 96th minute.

Coupled with the draw between England and Ghana earlier on Tuesday which put both teams at four points, Panama has been eliminated from contention for the knockout phase, while Croatia sits third.

David didn’t beat Goliath this time, but it was a result to be remembered.

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