World Cup 2026: Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic turns attention to Panama and Ghana after England defeat

Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic has switched his attention to the upcoming games against Panama and Ghana at the World Cup following the defeat to England in the Group L opener. 

The 2018 runners-up lost 4-2 to the Three Lions following a Harry Kane masterclass. The Bayern Munich forward netted a brace to add to strikes from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford.

The game which was 2-2 before half time also had Martin Baturina and Petar Musa on target for Croatia.

While explaining the defeat to England, Dalic - who led Croatia to second and third places at the last two World Cups - believes his team will bounce back against Panama in their second game and will be ready for Ghana in their last match.

"We lost to a better opponent. In the first half, we managed to come back from behind twice, but then we quickly conceded a goal in the second half that finished us off. For the next ten minutes, we were in a knockdown, and Livaković saved us," he said after the game.

"We knew what was coming. I don't remember ever having a higher lineup, but I also don't remember defending set pieces so poorly. In the first half, they didn't do much for us from the game, except on the left side. Everything else came from set pieces. They created six 100 percent chances from eight corner kicks.

"We defended set pieces extremely poorly, even though we practiced them in training, showed them to the players and knew they would make blocks. We fell short in discipline, concentration and responsibility.

"Later, we changed the system. At halftime, we talked about set pieces and we all said that we would rotate, and that's exactly how we conceded a goal in the first minute of the second half. We lost to a better opponent, who was faster, better and more aggressive and had better position on the field. But we will not stop believing. We knew that two decisive games awaited us. We must forget what was and turn our attention to Panama."