Ghana enter their final Group L match against Croatia on Saturday already assured of a place in the World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 2010, the report says. The Black Stars have four points and will finish higher than at least four teams in the third-place rankings even if they lose to Zlatko Dalic’s side.
Croatia need a draw to guarantee their own progress, while only a win would move them above Ghana as group runners-up or potentially into first place. Finishing second could pair Ghana with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, while topping the group would offer a marginally easier round-of-32 assignment, according to the report.
On tactics, Dalic noted Ghana have used a low block in both group matches. Coach Carlos Queiroz publicly rejected suggestions he will set the team up to defend, saying, “I only know how to play to win.” The report adds that Ghana can afford to sit in, frustrate Croatia’s experienced midfield and look to hurt on the counter, given the Black Stars’ pace on the break and Croatia’s typically high defensive line.
Jordan Ayew looks set to retain his place in the starting XI after a labored display against Panama prompted questions over his inclusion. He responded against England and recorded a tournament-high 204 defensive pressures across Ghana’s first two matches—83 against Panama and 121 against England—more than any other player at the World Cup, according to the report. His defensive work and ability to link play have been central to Ghana’s approach.
Goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, who replaced the injured Lawrence Ati-Zigi at halftime against Panama and started against England, kept back-to-back clean sheets. In doing so he became the first Black Stars goalkeeper to record consecutive World Cup clean sheets, a feat Richard Kingson came closest to but never achieved, the report notes.
