Croatia bounce back as Budimir strike eliminates Panama

Ante Budimir came off the bench to ignite Croatia's World Cup and eliminate Panama as the 2018 finalists won 1-0 in Toronto. The half-time change settled a game of few clear-cut chances as he bundled home Josip Stanisic's excellent cross at the back post nine minutes after coming on, as Croatia bounced back from their opening-game defeat to England.

There was little to worry them defensively but knowing a victory would give them a strong chance of reaching the last 32, they found the Central Americans a tough nut to crack before half-time, when a double change from Zlatko Dalic had the desired…