Croatia stun France in Nations League quarterfinal

by croatiaweek
March 20, 2025
in Sport

Ivan Perišić celebrates

Croatia took a big step towards the UEFA Nations League semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over France in Split on Thursday night.

The hosts put in a disciplined and determined display in front of a full house at Poljud Stadium, taking their chances while keeping the dangerous French attack at bay.

The night could have started even better for Croatia, but they squandered an early chance to take the lead from the penalty spot.

Andrej Kramarić stepped up and sent his penalty straight down the middle, but France goalkeeper Mike Maignan, diving to his right, managed to keep it out with his trailing foot.

At the other end, Dominik Livaković proved just as vital for Croatia early on, producing a couple of outstanding saves to deny Kylian Mbappé and keep the scores level.

Croatia 1-0

In the 26th minute, Croatia finally found the breakthrough. Ivan Perišić latched onto a long ball down the left and whipped in a teasing cross towards the near post.

Ante Budimir bravely attacked it, getting ahead of his marker to head past Maignan and put Croatia 1-0 up.

Budimir has been in top form this season, netting 15 goals for Osasuna in La Liga. He is the league’s third-highest scorer, trailing only Robert Lewandowski and C.

Croatia 2-0

With halftime approaching, Croatia struck again. In first-half stoppage time, Martin Baturina’s shot was blocked by William Saliba, but the ball dropped kindly for Perišić. The veteran winger made no mistake, rifling a superb effort into the bottom corner beyond Maignan’s reach to make it 2-0.

Whatever Didier Deschamps said in the dressing room at halftime had an impact, as France emerged looking like a different side.

They piled on the pressure, forcing several crucial saves from Livaković, particularly from efforts by Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé.

Croatia found themselves pinned back, struggling to retain possession and break out of their own half.