UEFA Nations League, Quarter Final First-Leg, 20/03/2025
France suffered a setback in the first leg in the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals draw against Croatia. Two goals from the first half of Ante Budimir and Ivan Perešić see Les Bleus behind the second stage at the back of the Stade de France.
The first controversy of the match arrived with a hopeful ball launched in the French area. A cross of the right flank touched Ibrahmia Konaté and the referee immediately awarded Croatia a penalty. Andrej Kramarić stepped to the place and could not beat Mike Maignan who managed to save with his legs. Mbappé went closest to the road with a low effort in the area, but Livakovic was easy to turn the captain's shot behind a corner behind.
Despite missing an early fine, Croatia would still take the lead. Ante Budimir managed to run by William Saliba, to steal a march on the Arsenal defender and turn his header to the nearby pole after the cross of Peresic. The first goal enabled the home team to take advantage of and to take control of the game; In the minutes that followed, France could not build a consistent property.
Peresič would then double that the misery that the Les Bleus defense suffered in the break. The Saliba block falls perfectly in the path from the PSV wing player to half-volley past Maignan in the France goal. A well -dressed goal and a matte defense saw the home team two goals behind the break.
After the break, Les Bleus saw more of the ball and offered more threat in attack. Ousmane Dembélé almost halved the shortage while he managed to give and shoot, but he could not squeeze his efforts in the nearby post. The PSG Forward soon found itself with another chance, after Mbappé had chosen him with a good cross, but Livakovic did well to his volley.
France improved in the second half, but not to a level where they could bother the Croatian defense, as the visitors did in the first half.
Mike Maignan – 6
Jules Koundé – 5
Ibrahima Konaté – 3
It was a night to forget for the Liverpool Center-back. The defender gave away a reckless punishment in the early stages of the game after he had treated the ball awkward in his area. This mistake remained unpunished, but defensively he looked shaky next to Saliba. Replaced by Dayot Upamecano (45 ′) – 6.
William Saliba – 4
The arsenal defender caught on a nap, was largely the error for the opening goal, because he did not follow the run of Ante Budimir, so that the attacker could escape behind him and went home uncomfortably. He never looked convincing alongside Konaté in the heart of the defense.
Lucas Digne – 5
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 5
Mattéo Guendouzi – 5
Adrien Rabiot – 5
Ousmane Dembélé – 6
The PSG Forward looked like the only player who could produce in the last third part for Les Bleus. Dembélé benefited from a more central position, but he was unable not to store the opportunities that were presented to him.
Kylian Mbappé – 5
Randal Kolo Muani – 4
GFFN | Liam Wraith
Comments