On March 23, 2025, the French national football team will aim to turn the tide against Croatia when they host them in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League. The match, taking place at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, will kick off at 22:45 Moscow time, with Michael Oliver appointed as the referee.
The stakes are high for France after suffering a surprising 2-0 defeat during their first encounter with Croatia just a few days prior. Despite creating numerous chances, France struggled with execution, leaving fans and analysts questioning their approach. In that match, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, two of France's brightest stars, were unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities, which ultimately led to this unexpected outcome.
Following that initial game, in which Croatia was resilient, utilizing their chances effectively, France now finds themselves in a precarious situation. To advance to the semi-finals, they must not only win but do so by a margin of at least two goals—an objective they prepared for intensely, as the pressure mounts on head coach Didier Deschamps. Croatia, now perceived as resilient opponents, delivered a performance that emphasized their tactical discipline and determination.
Historically, France holds a superior record over Croatia, having dominated several recent encounters, which adds an element of surprise to the Croatian win. In their last three head-to-head matches, Croatia has managed to avoid defeat, drawing 1-1 in 2022 and securing a narrow victory in the latest encounter. With this current momentum, Croatia enters the fixture with bolstered confidence.
Both teams have potential game-changers returning to their rosters. Kylian Mbappe's return—after missing previous squad calls due to disagreements—has sparked renewed hope among French supporters. Mbappe characterized the earlier fallout as "work-related disagreements," aiming to refocus the narrative towards football on the field rather than issues off the field. Dembele, who has been performing exceptionally for PSG, will also be vital for France, aiming to leverage his current form into tangible results against Croatia.
As for Croatia, they cruised through the group stages to reach this point, finishing second in their group with eight points. Their most recent match against France showcased their capability of capitalizing on opposition mistakes, securing a win despite a missed penalty early on from Andrej Kramaric. Notably, Kramaric's capability to convert scoring opportunities will also be a focal point in the return match.
The betting lines indicate that France remains the favorite in this match with odds at 1.45 for a win, while a draw stands at 4.60, and a Croatian victory at 7.50. This reflects confidence from bookmakers that the French team should regain their form at home. Analysts predict a potentially high-scoring affair, particularly since both teams aim to secure victory decisively. Bets suggesting totals higher than 2.5 goals have also garnered attention.
In assessing the match's key statistics, players and pundits are drawn to France’s need for immediate offensive pressure, as ceding ground to a team with Croatia's proven counter-attacking strength could be detrimental. France accumulated 12 goals while conceding six in their group stage, highlighting their attacking abilities despite defensive vulnerabilities.
As the teams gear up for one of the most critical fixtures in their recent history, experts predict that France may turn their frustration from the previous match into an aggressive performance. The consensus is that their home advantage, coupled with a determined mindset, should see them secure a win—potentially by a scoreline of 2-0 or greater.
With Croatia not rolling over easily, conditions are set for a thrilling encounter steeped in tension and competitive spirit. Whether France can rise to the occasion and avenge their earlier defeat will soon be revealed as fans eagerly await match time.
