FT · World: World Cup · Wednesday, 24 June 2026

Panama 01 CroatiaMatch recap & Bawler model verdict · Wednesday, 24 June 2026

Panama
01
Croatia win
Croatia
> 🧠 Model verdict
✓ Model called it

Pre-match, Bawler had Panama at 13%, draw at 26%, Croatia at 61%. The match ended 0-1 — confirming the model's lean toward Croatia.

> Pre-match probability vs result
Panama win
13%
Draw
26%
Croatia win
61%
Actual ✓
> Expected vs actual goals
Model expected (xG)
0.791.93
Total 2.72
Actual
01
Total 1 (-1.7 vs xG)

Match underperformed xG by 1.7 goals. Below-expectation scoring — could be wasteful finishing, strong goalkeeping, or low-quality chances the model over-rated.

> 🧾 What the model called · and how it landed
High confidence
Over 2.5 Goals
Pre-match: 72%
✗ Lost
Outside shot
Over 3.5 Goals
Pre-match: 25%
✗ Lost
> What we said pre-match
"Over 2.5 Goals at 72% probability looks strong because Croatia's 1.93 xG—nearly 2.5 times Panama's 0.79—suggests the visitors will dominate a low-possession affair."

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