Panama and Croatia meet in Toronto on Tuesday evening, with both nations seizing on an unexpected gift from Group L — England and Ghana's goalless draw in Boston has left the knockout-round door wide open for the pair.

England's 0-0 stalemate was a bitter disappointment for The Three Lions, while Ghana considered it a salvageable result. The draw means neither side has yet secured their place in the next round, handing Panama and Croatia a genuine shot at progression.

Where each team stands

Croatia arrive in Toronto having already tasted defeat, losing 4-2 to England in their Group L opener. Panama, meanwhile, were edged out in stoppage time when Caleb Yirenkyi's late strike gave Ghana the win. A victory for either side tonight would bring them to within one point of the group leaders.

Panama are ranked 34th in the world and are competing in only their second-ever World Cup. Croatia, by stark contrast, are appearing at their seventh Finals — a tournament in which they have previously reached the semi-finals on three occasions.

Croatia's quality the key factor

Zlatko Dalic's side enter as firm favourites, boasting the experience of Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, and Ivan Perisic in their starting lineup. Their European pedigree is hard to argue against, though the team does lack a genuine top-level centre forward.

Panama have opted for a five-man defensive setup in an attempt to nullify Croatia's attacking threat — a pragmatic approach given the gap in squad quality between the two sides. Panama have yet to score at this tournament, though Ghana's shutout of England in Boston suggests that statistic may say more about the competition's defensive solidity than Panama's own limitations in front of goal.

Croatia's class looks likely to prevail. FourFourTwo's score prediction for this match is: Panama 1-3 Croatia.