Slow starters Croatia hit their stride ahead of World Cup knockout phase

PHILADELPHIA, June 27 : Croatia left it late to find a little World Cup sparkle, but history suggests they will not be worried by a sluggish group stage performance as they head into the business end of the tournament where they usually thrive the most. 

In a match in which they could have been eliminated, Nikola Vlasic's late header ensured Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 in Saturday's Group L finale, with a performance that showed promise after two opening games short on quality. 

Croatia are notorious slow starters, including at the 2022 World Cup where they went on to reach the semi-finals, with two goalless group-stage draws, back-to-back penalty shootouts and only a single victory in open play — against Canada. 

They have made life difficult for themselves in major tournaments, eliminated in the group stage and round of 16 at the past two Euros, and a nervy route to the 2018 World Cup final that required two penalty shootouts and an extra-time winner.

The Vatreni, or "blazers", lacked fire early on, roundly beaten 4-2 by England and uninspiring in a 1-0 win over Panama, in which they had only two shots on target. 

But they outclassed a Ghanaian team with a fortress of a defence and clean sheets in their opening two matches, including holding England to a draw. 

DECISIVE SWITCHES

Croatia made three changes, giving a first start to goalscorer Vlasic, who early on fired in a sizzling long-range strike that clipped the post. Coach Zlatko Dalic also brought back Inter Milan's Petar Sucic, who put them ahead with a first-half thunderbolt low into the corner. 

Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric, who passed the 200-cap mark against Panama aged 40, hit his stride as the engine of the Croatian team and was essential in breaking down Ghana's