Croatia and France met in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals on Thursday in Split. The two teams meet for the second leg at Stade de France in Paris on Sunday. The winner goes onto the Nations League Finals, which will be held in June.
Poljud was nearly sold out tonight, with 30,511 fans in attendance.
Lineups
CROATIA: Livaković, Stanišić, Šutalo, Ćaleta-Car, Gvardiol, Kovačić, Modrić, Perišić, Baturina, Kramarić, Budimir
FRANCE: Maignan, Kounde, Konate, Saliba, Digne, Guendouzi, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Dembele, Kolo Muani, Mbappe
Match report
The match started off with equal possession, until the 5th minute when a handball in the box was called as a penalty for Croatia. Kramarić stepped up to take it and Maignan saved it, keeping the score at 0-0.
Croatia had a shot on goal in the 15th minute after the France defense lost the ball, but Maignan was quick to react. France’s first corner followed in th next play.
In the 16th minute, France had a great shot on goal which Livakovic saved for France’s second corner. And then a third corner followed.
Croatia had their first corner in the 19th minute. Modrić played it short and Croatia played it back.
In the 20th minute, Kovacic sent a perfect through ball to Budimir but the France defence cleaned up the play,
Livakovic had another great save from Mbappe’s shot in the 23rd minute which went out for another France corner.
But then it happened for Croatia. A beautiful ball was sent in by Perisic on the left wing to find Budimir in the box for 1-0 Croatia in the 26th minute!
In the 33nd minute, Croatia had another corner, which resulted in a quick counter for France. Mbappe shot over the goal for a Croatia free kick.
The ref announced 2 minutes of stoppage time before halftime but Croatia wasn’t done. Perisic received the ball on the right just outside the box and shot far post for 2-0 Croatia!
In the first half, Croatia had 43% of the possession to France’ss 57%, with both sides registering 3 shots on target. The first half ended 2-0 for Croatia.
The second half started without any changes for Croatia. France subbed off Konate for Dayot Upamecano.
Croatia had their first corner of the second half in the 47th minute.
In the 50th minute, Croatia had a great chance between Baturina and Budimir, but didn’t capitalize on increasing the score.
France had a free kick outside the box in the 57th minute which Livakovic punched out for a throw in. Croatia’s defence remained solid in neutralizing Mbappe and Dembele.
A side-netting shot from France in 58th minute was a close call.
Dalic made two subs – Budimir came out for Ivanovic and Baturina for Pasalic.
Dembele forced a great save from Livakovic in the 60th minute for a France corner. Mbbape shot at Livakovic a minute later.
France was absolutely picking up the intensity. Deschamps made two subs in the 64th minute – Randal Kolo Muani was replaced by Bradley Barcola and Rabiot for Camavinga.
Dalic subbed off Perisic for Vlasic in the 70th minute.
Croatia picked up the intensity from the 75th minute and started attacking France’s goal, but a quick counter and shot from Dembele almost reduced the score.
Another stellar save from Livakovic in the 80th minute kept it 2-0.
Anther close call for France came in the 86th minute when Olise shot off a corner but went over the goal.
Four minutes of stoppage time were added. France was desperate, but Croatia was solid. And with the final whistle, there it was – Croatia stunned France 2-0!
The two teams meet again on Sunday at Stade de France. Kick off is at 20:45.
Subscribe to our newsletter
the fields marked with * are requiredRelated posts:
UEFA Nations League: Croatia and France Draw at Poljud (1:1)
Croatia Moves to Top of Nations League Group with Win against Denmark in Zagreb!
Croatia Closes Out UEFA Nations League Against Portugal: “We are Playing to Win”
Croatia Player List Announced for Nations League Quarter-finals against France
