Croatia took a significant step in their quest for the UEFA Nations League semi-finals by defeating France 2-0 at the Stadion Poljud in Split on March 20, 2025. The home side's victory was underpinned by a stellar performance from Ivan Perisic, who scored one goal and provided an assist.
The match didn't start well for Croatia, who missed an early opportunity to seize the lead when Andrej Kramaric had his penalty saved by French goalkeeper Mike Maignan after Ibrahima Konate was penalized for handball just five minutes into the game. Kramaric's poorly struck shot, aimed down the middle, was easily handled by Maignan.
However, Croatia quickly regrouped and found their rhythm. The breakthrough came in the 26th minute when Perisic delivered a precise cross into the box, allowing Ante Budimir to head it in, giving Croatia a 1-0 lead. Budimir, who has been in exceptional form this season with 15 goals for Osasuna in La Liga, got ahead of his marker to score in what would prove to be a pivotal moment for the hosts.
Just before halftime, Croatia struck again. In first-half stoppage time, William Saliba blocked a shot from Martin Baturina, but the ball landed perfectly for Perisic, who fired a powerful effort into the bottom corner, increasing Croatia's lead to 2-0. The home team entered the break buoyed by their solid performance, while France faced an uphill battle.
France, the reigning Nations League champions, saw the return of star Kylian Mbappe, but his presence was not enough to change the tide of the match. Despite having several opportunities, including a notable second-half shot that was denied by Croatia's Dominik Livakovic, the French attack was largely subdued.
In comments post-match, France coach Didier Deschamps acknowledged, "We had some good attempts at the start but there were too many technical mistakes. Even though Maignan saved the penalty, we couldn’t capitalize on it. Croatia were very organized." Deschamps expressed hope for improved performance in the return leg, stating, "Our first-half showing was below what we are capable of. It will be a different game and we will do everything to turn it around."
The two sides will meet again on March 23, 2025, at the Stade de France, where France will have the daunting task of overturning a two-goal deficit. With Croatia leading the tie, they are in a stronger position heading into the second leg, a factor that Deschamps acknowledged: "Croatia are obviously in a better situation."
Budimir, relishing the victory, stated, "It was a really big win, an important victory ahead of Sunday. We were truly at a high level, and it's hard for me to single anyone out." Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić echoed these sentiments, praising his team's discipline and resilience, particularly after missing the early penalty. "We were compact and disciplined. Even after missing a penalty, we didn’t stop; we stayed strong," he noted.
Despite a valiant effort in the second half, where France pressured Croatia with multiple chances, including shots from Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, the Croatian defense held firm. Livakovic's critical saves and a robust defensive display ensured that the 2-0 lead was maintained.
The stakes are high for the return leg; not only is it an opportunity for France to redeem themselves, but it also carries the weight of national pride, especially after such a disappointing performance against their rivals. Croatia, having executed a disciplined and cohesive strategy, will look to carry their momentum into Paris. If they can replicate their display, they may very well advance to the Nations League semi-finals, which will take place in June against either defending champions Spain or the Netherlands.
In summary, while Croatia revels in their performance and looks forward to sealing the deal in Paris, France must regroup and come out with a much stronger showing to avoid being eliminated from the tournament.
