FT · World: World Cup · Saturday, 27 June 2026

Croatia 21 GhanaMatch recap & Bawler model verdict · Saturday, 27 June 2026

Croatia
21
Croatia win
Ghana
> Model verdict
✓ Model called it

Pre-match, Bawler had Croatia at 52%, draw at 29%, Ghana at 20%. The match ended 2-1 — confirming the model's lean toward Croatia.

> Pre-match probability vs result
Croatia win
52%
Actual ✓
Draw
29%
Ghana win
20%
> Expected vs actual goals
Model expected (xG)
1.791.04
Total 2.83
Actual
21
Total 3 (+0.2 vs xG)

Total goals landed close to the model's expectation — within 0.2 of forecast. Suggests this match played to the underlying xG balance.

> Bawler's picks · how they landed
Banker
Over 1.5 Goals
Pre-match: 81%
✓ Won
Dark Horse
Under 2.5 Goals
Pre-match: 27%
✗ Lost
> What we said pre-match
"Over 1.5 Goals sits at 81% because Croatia's 1.79 xG dominates Ghana's 1.04, and Kramarić's 22% of team output gives the hosts a sharp scoring edge at home."

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