Panama showcased impressive speed and tactical discipline, coming close to taking the lead when Jose Luis Rodriguez unleashed a header that crashed toward the goal, only to be deflected onto the crossbar by Croatia's goalkeeper just before the hydration break.

Frustrated with his team's lackluster performance, a passionate Zlatko Dalic seized the opportunity during the break to rally his players and steer them back on course.

"They were under immense pressure, and it felt as if every ball was controlled by the opponent, which severely disrupted our game plan," Dalic remarked following Croatia's crucial victory that eliminated Panama from Group L contention.

"We didn’t address this early on, and that’s why my frustration boiled over, prompting my reaction."

After suffering a disappointing loss to England in their opening match, Croatia entered this contest fully aware that another defeat would extinguish their hopes of advancing in the expanded 48-team tournament.

Despite the high stakes, Croatia, who reached the finals in 2018, began the match slowly against a resilient Panama side. However, their experience ultimately shone through after halftime in this pivotal Group L showdown.

"I honestly didn’t expect the match to be so challenging," Dalic admitted. "We didn’t respond as effectively as we should have, perhaps due to the weight of needing these three points to progress to the knockout stage."

Dalic emphasized the urgent need for improvement across all areas, particularly in defense, as they prepare for their upcoming match against Ghana on Saturday in Philadelphia.

"I can’t say I'm pleased with our performance, especially in the first half," Dalic conceded. "However, I will move past this and concentrate on what lies ahead."