| The two losers from the first matchday in Group L will face each other next Tuesday in Toronto, which is why there's already considerable pressure in both camps. While both teams would still have a chance of reaching the round of 32 even with a draw or a loss, nobody wants to push their luck with a potential third-place finish in the group. Croatia are the favorites in the upcoming match, but Zlatko Dalic team is not among this year's World Cup favourites. While both teams hardly manage to score, they also have weaknesses in defense. Panama first group match was low-scoring but it was not a surprise having in mind that they played against African teams. Thomas Christiansen's team conceded a goal shortly before the end of stoppage time. However, in Panama's previous five matches, both teams scored. After all, both teams also scored in six of Croatia's last eight matches. Furthermore, the underdogs at this World Cup have often surprised with goals so far. Given the nature of this game, neither team is likely to play it safe for long. |
