Ivan Perisic may not have stopped England from winning 4-2, and Croatia may have gone home from AT&T Stadium with nothing. But for the veteran winger, Wednesday night in Dallas delivered something no defeat can erase: a place in the record books alongside the greatest footballer of all time.
When Perisic floated a perfectly weighted header into the path of Petar Musa in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, setting up Croatia's late leveller before the break, he became only the second player in history to register an assist in four different World Cups. The only man ahead of him is Lionel Messi, who earlier this tournament recorded an assist in a jaw-dropping fifth.
Remarkable Longevity
It is a remarkable achievement for a player who turned 37 in February and whom many assumed would watch this World Cup from his couch. Instead, Perisic, now plying his trade at PSV Eindhoven after stints at Inter, Bayern Munich, and Tottenham, answered his country's call once more and delivered when it mattered most.
The Croatian had previously registered assists at the 2014 tournament in Brazil, the 2018 edition in Russia—where his goal and all-round brilliance helped Croatia reach the final—and the 2022 showpiece in Qatar, where he set up goals against Canada and Morocco. The assist against England now adds 2026 to that illustrious list, putting him in a category of his own among outfield players not named Messi.
Defying Conventions
This list underlines just how extraordinary Perisic's longevity has been. In an era where wide players are increasingly spent by their early 30s, the Croatian has defied every convention. His relentless engine, remarkable reading of the game, and two-footed versatility have kept him relevant at the very highest level across four World Cup cycles.
Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic was effusive in praise after the match. "Ivan is a living legend of Croatian football," he told reporters. "What he has done across four World Cups for this country is something that will never be forgotten."
Croatia will now face Panama in their next match in Group L.
