World Cup: DR Congo, Panama lose heartbreakers
Join the Ligue 1 McDonald's team as we round up the final two games of Matchday Two of the Group Stage, Colombia-DR Congo and Panama-Croatia.
Colombia 1-0 DR Congo
Despite a standout display in goal from Le Havre's Lionel Mpasi (eight saves), it was disappointment for DR Congo in Group K. After a valiant draw against Portugal in their opening match, they looked to secure their place in the next round with a win over Los Cafeteros. Ex-Monaco man James Rodriguez was key in attack, but it would be another former Ligue 1 McDonald's player, Juan Fernando Quintero, who would make the difference.
Coming off the bench, the former Stade Rennais player set up Daniel Muñoz for the game's only goal, Les Leopards' resistance finally beaten on 76'. DR Congo, who featured no less than four current Ligue 1 McDonald's players in their lineup (Ngal'Ayel Mukau, Chancel Mbemba and Arthur Musaku), had their chances as well, but will have to look to seal their place in the knockout stages against Uzbekistan this weekend. As for Colombia, who recorded their second win in a row, they'll look to finish top with a draw or better against Portugal on Saturday.
Time for Colombia vs DR Congo! 🇨🇴🇨🇩 pic.twitter.com/qoRJAOTEZp
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) June 23, 2026
Panama 0-1 Croatia
In Toronto, Croatia secured a vital three points in Group L, bouncing back from their loss to England last week to get a win against a feisty Panama side. For Panama, former Marseille wingback Amir Murillo started and played 90 minutes, while for Croatia, former AS Monaco midfielder Mario Pasalic was in the eleven, while Lyon defender Duje Caleta-Car was an unused substitute.
Pre-match, all of the focus was on Luka Modric, the veteran midfielder who featured in his 200th match for his country. One of only four men to have to have reached that milestone, his experience failed to help his team look convincing in the match's early stages. Against a similarly veteran-laden Panama, Zlatko Dalic's side struggled to get a foothold in the match, with the best chance of the first half falling to the opponents, as José Luis Rodriguez forced Dominik Livakovic into a spectacular save.
Croatia's nous would tell in the second half, though, as Ante Budimir scored the match's only goal on 54 minutes. Pouncing on a cross that was poorly cleared by the Panama 'keeper, the veteran forward put his side ahead. Panama would continue to threaten, though, with Livakovic making a smart double save with twenty minutes to play. As it was, though, Croatia secured the result, and will look to secure their place in the knockout rounds against Ghana on Saturday, while Panama have been eliminated.
