France Stunned by Croatia in Nations League Quarter-Final First Leg

France captain Kylian Mbappe’s return to the national team ended in disappointment as Croatia secured a surprising 2-0 victory in their UEFA Nations League quarter-final first leg on Thursday.

Ante Budimir’s 26th-minute header, which deflected off France goalkeeper Mike Maignan before spinning into the net, gave the hosts an early advantage.

Ivan Perisic then doubled Croatia’s lead with a precise finish into the bottom corner in first-half added time, leaving Didier Deschamps’ side with a mountain to climb in the return leg.

Missed Chances and Croatian Dominance

Croatia could have extended their lead even earlier in the game. In the eighth minute, Andrej Kramaric had the opportunity to put his side ahead from the penalty spot after a foul inside the box.

However, Maignan came to France’s rescue, saving the spot-kick with his feet. The AC Milan shot-stopper was kept busy throughout the first half, notably parrying a powerful long-range strike from Josko Gvardiol.

France struggled to find their rhythm despite a strong lineup that featured the returning Mbappe, who had been absent from the squad for six months.

The Real Madrid forward, who has already netted 20 goals in La Liga this season, had six attempts on goal but failed to break down Croatia’s resolute defense.

France’s Uphill Battle in Second Leg

Les Bleus now face a daunting challenge in overturning the deficit in the second leg at the Stade de France on Sunday (19:45 GMT).

Their recent record in the Nations League when conceding first does not inspire confidence, with their last comeback victory dating back to October 2021 against Spain.

Speaking after the match, France head coach Didier Deschamps acknowledged the team’s struggles but remained optimistic about their chances in the return fixture.

“We lacked efficiency in front of goal and allowed Croatia too much space in the first half. The second leg will be a different story, and we need to show more urgency to turn this tie around,” Deschamps said.

Meanwhile, Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic praised his side’s performance but warned against complacency ahead of the second leg.

“We played with great intensity and took our chances well. France remains a top team, and we expect them to fight back in Paris. We need to stay focused and finish the job,” Dalic commented.

Mbappe’s Struggles on Return

Much of the pre-match focus had been on Mbappe’s comeback, but the French star was unable to make the impact many had expected. Despite his tireless efforts, Croatia’s disciplined defense, marshaled by Gvardiol and veteran Domagoj Vida, effectively neutralized his threat.

Mbappe will be under pressure to deliver in front of the home crowd on Sunday as France looks to avoid an early exit from the tournament.

With their Nations League campaign on the line, Les Bleus must find a way to break Croatia’s defensive resilience and rediscover their attacking prowess if they hope to keep their title hopes alive.

 

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members