CROATIA – FRANCE 2:0 (Budimir 26′, Perišić 45’+1′)
Croatia: Livaković – Stanišić, Šutalo, Ćaleta-Car, Gvardiol – Modrić, Kovačić – Perišić (Vlašić 70′), Baturina (Pašalić 60′), Kramarić (Sučić 85′) – Budimir (Ivanović 60′)
France: Maignan – Koundé, Konaté (Upamecano 46′), Saliba, Digne – Guendouzi (Koné 85′), Tchouaméni, Rabiot (Camavinga 64′) – Dembélé (Olise 85′) – Kolo Muani (Barcola 64′), Mbappé
Croatia‘s great victory in Split opened the door for a rematch in Paris, where the Vatreni will try to maintain their two-goal lead. Although not everything is over, Zlatko Dalić and his players are flying to Paris with great optimism.
The Final Four of the UEFA Nations League looks closer than before the duel with the French. Croatia played a great team game in Poljud, and the defense successfully stopped the Tricolor attack without conceding a goal. Ivan Perišić earned the title of hero of the match with an assist and a goal, which caused cheers from the fans and shouts of “Ivan, Ivan” from the stands.
The first half will be remembered for a long time because Croatia outclassed France by two goals before the break, and it could have been more. Analysts expected a hard match without many chances, but Kramarić had an opportunity to change the course of the game early. However, he did not take advantage of the penalty, which he will remember for a long time because of how Maignan saved him. Budimir previously had the ball, but luckily, Konate was hooked with his hand in an unnatural position, which led to a penalty.
The French accepted that decision, and Kramarić got the chance to take the penalty. Maignan had already fallen to the right side, and Kramarić hit the visitors’ goalkeeper in the legs with a weak shot, saving France for a short time.
Croatia showed more energy and desire in the first half, controlling the game and allowing the French only two opportunities. Mbappé was against Livaković on both occasions, but the Croatian goalkeeper successfully intervened. Everything else in the first 45 minutes belonged to Vatreni. Modrić and Kovačić held the midfield brilliantly, especially Kovačić, who looked for Budimir with vertical balls and “dissolved” the Tricolor defense. Perišić took Vatrene to rest with a big 2:0.
In the second half, Deschamps left the uncertain stopper Konate in the dressing room and brought Upamecano. The French started more decisively, but the Vatreni successfully brought the game back into balance. The French pressure was short-lived, and Livaković repeated his excellent defenses, which allowed Croatia to keep the lead until the end.
Now, a spectacle is expected at the Stade de France, where the French will be under huge pressure as the favorites.
UEFA Nations League resaults:
Germany – Italy 2:1
CROATIA – France 2:0
Spain – Netherlands 2:2
Denmark – Portugal 1:0
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