Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz said defensive mistakes made the difference in the Black Stars’ 2-1 loss to Croatia. He admitted his team made one more key error than their opponents in the crucial Group L match.

Petar Sučić put Croatia ahead with a powerful long-range shot. After halftime, Derrick Luckassen equalized for Ghana, but Nikola Vlašić’s late header gave Croatia the win.

Queiroz agreed that Croatia deserved to win but regretted his team’s mistakes.

“When you score one more goal than your opponent, you deserve to win. It means you made at least one fewer mistake than the other team,” he said.

The Portuguese coach was especially unhappy with the goals Ghana allowed.

“We gave away two soft goals. When you concede from 40 meters, you have to do much better. Those are not the kind of goals you should concede at a World Cup.”

Queiroz said Croatia controlled the first half, but he felt Ghana were stronger after the break.

“I think Croatia was the better team in the first half and controlled the game. The second half belonged to Ghana.”

Ghana played much better in the second half, creating chances and scoring through Luckassen. However, they could not turn their strong play into a win before Croatia scored again from a Luka Modrić corner.

“I don’t think what we produced in the second half deserved to be punished with another goal. A draw would have been the fairest result.”

Even though he was disappointed, Queiroz accepted how tournament football works.

“But football isn’t about fairness. If you score more goals, you win. If you score fewer, you lose.”

The loss meant Ghana finished third in Group L, but the Black Stars still moved on to the Round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams. Next, they will play Colombia in Kansas City.