Old magic, new hero: Sučić screamer and Vlašić header send Croatia past Ghana and into the last 32

Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 to reach the Round of 32 as Group L runners-up. Petar Sučić smashed in a 30-yard opener and Nikola Vlašić headed a late winner from a Luka Modrić corner, after Derrick Luckassen had equalised. Ghana lose but still advance as a best third-placed team; England top the group.

Croatia needed a win to be sure, and their old magic delivered one. A stunning long-range strike from Petar Sučić and a late Nikola Vlašić header saw off a brave Ghana 2-1 at Philadelphia Stadium, sending the 2018 finalists into the Round of 32 as runners-up in Group L.

For half an hour it was cagey, neither side managing a shot. Then Sučić settled it the hard way. Picking the ball up thirty yards out, the young Inter Milan midfielder drilled a ferocious, dipping strike into the bottom-left corner, a goal of real quality to break the deadlock and announce himself on the big stage.

Ghana responded with intent after the break. The Black Stars carried a threat on the counter, and their pressure told on seventy-three minutes when defender Derrick Luckassen snuck in at the back post to side-foot home an equaliser from a free kick, upheld after a lengthy VAR check. Carlos Queiroz's side sensed a famous point.

It was not to be. With seven minutes left, the evergreen Luka Modrić rolled back the years, floating an outswinging corner to the back post where Vlašić, completely free of his marker, glanced a header off the inside of the post and in. The captain's delivery, the winner's run; pure Croatian know-how.

The result sealed second place for Croatia behind group winners England, who had beaten them earlier in the group. Ghana, despite the defeat, still advanced as one of the best third-placed teams, reaching the Round of 32 thanks to the platform built by a goalless draw with England. Both nations go through; Panama go home.

The draw threw up mouthwatering ties. Croatia line up against Portugal, while Ghana drew the short straw with a Round of 32 meeting with Group K winners Colombia, an Africa-versus-South-America showdown that promises plenty.

For Kenya, the feeling was relief wrapped in frustration. Ghana are one of West Africa's great names and carry plenty of Kenyan support, so falling asleep at Modrić's corner stung. But the bigger picture won out: the Black Stars are into the knockouts for the first time since 2010, and Nairobi is already turning its attention to the Colombia clash. Black Stars wamelala kwa ile corner, lakini wamesonga mbele, tunawangoja Colombia: the Black Stars switched off at that corner, but they are through, and we await Colombia. Our Africa round-one verdict backed Ghana to find a way, while our Europe verdict never doubted Croatia's tournament nous.