Ante Budimir

Ante Budimir scored the 54th-minute winner as Croatia defeated Panama 1-0 on 23 June 2026, sending Panama out of the tournament and keeping Croatia's round-of-16 hopes alive. Luka Modric simultaneously reached his 200th international cap in the same match, but it was Budimir's decisive strike that settled the points.

Born in Croatia in 1991, Budimir has spent most of his club career in Spain, most notably with Osasuna in La Liga, where he became one of the most reliable goal-threats in the Spanish top flight. A powerful centre-forward who excels in the air, he has been a reliable finisher for Croatia despite competition for the striker berth from others in the squad.

Budimir's goal against Panama was exactly the type of clinical contribution Croatia needed. With qualification for the knockout stages still uncertain across the group, the win was vital and Budimir's role in the shadow of Modric's historic 200th cap illustrates his reliability in high-pressure moments.