I wandered through the Philadelphia Museum of Art yesterday and stood before Thomas Eakins' *The Gross Clinic* — a masterpiece of precision and control, which is precisely what Modrić and Croatia's midfield will impose on this match like surgeons. Ghana's forward line has energy and Iñaki Williams has the legs to trouble anyone, but without Partey truly dominating the centre, they will be chasing shadows against a Croatian midfield that moves the ball like it has all the time in the world. Livaković behind them is composed, the defensive shape is disciplined, and Croatia will carve open this Ghana backline with the quiet inevitability of a Gvardiol overlap arriving exactly when you least expect it.

Croatia's midfield engine, anchored by Modrić's orchestration and backed by Gvardiol's composure sweeping behind the defensive line, is simply running a different tactical machine than Ghana can handle today — the Black Stars' forward line is lively, but with barely any meaningful attacks generated, they're essentially spectators in the phases that decide football matches. The mismatch through the middle is stark: Croatia are constructing attacks with patience and precision while Ghana's midfield around Partey is being overrun, leaving that forward threat from Williams and Sulemana completely isolated and starved of service. On a personal note, I attempted Philadelphia's famous soft pretzel before this one — buttery, salted, wonderfully chewy — and I'll admit, mine came out rather convincingly for a first attempt, which I take as a good omen for a Croatian masterclass today.