UEFA Nations League, quarterfinals, 23/03/25
France destroyed a 2-0 deficit to beat Croatia on penalties (2-0, AGG. 2-2, Pens 6-4) and to secure their place in the last four of the UEFA Nations League.
It was France who chased the game and that was clear from the first whistle. Croatia came to the Stade de France to sit and defend deep and in general they did well in the first 45 minutes. Les Bleus was limited to half chances with Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni, both hit scary of the goal from the box.
Only the 38th minute did France have a clear view of the goal. It was Michael Olise who won the ball high and won through the lively Bradley Barcola, whose first effort was saved by the legs Dominik Livakovic. But it only took so long until the negative approach to Croatia of the competition was punished.
France got one back by Michael Olise, who got his first goal in a French shirt with a lush curly direct free kick. It was the cross of Bayern Munich, which was invaded almost later in half by Josip Sutalo. Livakovic was grateful to see the deflection of the Croatian defender flying widely, but he would pick the ball from his net again minutes later.
This time it was Olise the provider, who cut the ball back for Ousmane Dembélé to stroke the first time at home. Because it didn't get the winner before the end of the 90 minutes, the game went to extra time. Les Bleus still remained entrepreneurial with Croatia, which does not show much to achieve its own goal.
Livaković was kept busy in extra time and made five saves: two from Désiré Doué and three from Mbappé. It was a rescue of the leader of France in the second half of extra time that was the choice of the couple when Croatia held to force a penalty shootout. Mike Maignan, not -tested all competition, then stepped up to the hero, who saved twice when Croatia missed three penalties.
France was also not clinically with Jules Koundé and Theo Hernandez missing, but Dayot Upamecano stepped up to take the decisive spot kick in sudden death. Les Bleus will now be in the semi -final of Spain.
Judgement
Mike Maignan – 7
The AC Milan goalkeeper was not asked to do anything in a normal time or extra time, but he certainly stepped in the penalty shoot-out, making two major rescues.
Theo Hernandez – 5
William Saliba – 6
Dayot Upamecano – 6
Jules Koundé – 6
Bradley Barcola – 6
Lively in the first half, his opponent, Josip Stanisic, got better, he was the most reliable source of danger before being replaced halfway through the second half by debutant Desiré Doué (6).
Manu Koné – 5
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 6
Michael Olise – 8
A somewhat mixed match of the man of Bayern Munich. His technical quality could be seen everywhere, but his decision -making and synchronicity with his teammates sometimes was missing, which led to a few wasted opportunities. However, he got his goal and then got the assist. He was the most important man in this Remontada while putting his first quality performance in a French shirt.
Kylian Mbappé – 6
A frustrating evening for Mbappé in many ways while his infertile run for France continues; The Real Madrid attacker has not scored in his last seven games for Les Bleus. However, it was only Livaković who denied him. The Croatian keeper drew three major saves to deny the captain. Despite his lack of happiness for the goal, he was valuable before his side and remained in goal scores.
Ousmane Dembélé – 6
Dembélé's impressive goal form with PSG converted to the international stage. His decisive, one-touch finish was indicated for many of the goals he has scored in recent weeks and months. He dived in and out of a free roamer, but made a crucial impact on this competition.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
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