France advanced to the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League in dramatic fashion, winning a penalty shootout on Sunday evening.
It was apparent from the opening 15 minutes of the match that France were eager to get themselves in front early on to give themselves as good of a chance as they could possibly have of getting back into the match with the aggregate scoreline being 2-0 to the visitors. The urgency was clear and both Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni went close to scoring in the opening stages of the match, but both players' attempts went just wide of the target.
In the 38th minute, the home side produced their best chance of the match so far, but Bradley Barcola's shot was denied by an excellent save from Dominik Livakovic. Michael Olise, who up to this point was one of France's most dangerous creative threats, played a tidy through ball to Barcola, who couldn't slot it near enough in the corner.
The first half ended 0-0, but it was very clear that Croatia were going to have to continue their defensive stubbornness in the second half as France were constantly knocking on the door and creating a lot of goalscoring opportunities.
The deadlock was finally broken for the hosts in the 52nd minute through a brilliant free-kick from Olise. The Bayern Munich man had been the best player on the pitch up to this point and thoroughly deserved his goal. The Croatian goalkeeper, Livakovic, had absolutely no chance of stopping Olise's strike and was rooted to the spot.
In the 80th minute, France finally completed their comeback. The home side were dominant for pretty much all of the match and after good link-up play down the right wing between Mbappe and Olise, Ousmane Dembele, who up to this point was having one of his quietest performances of the season, slotted a tidy right-footed finish into the bottom corner, once again leaving Livakovic rooted to the spot.
Despite lots of late French pressure, Croatia managed to hold on and sent the match to extra time, with the aggregate score at 2-2.
Aside from a late volleyed attempt from Mbappe in the last few minutes of the second period of extra time, the match pretty much kept its theme of Croatia being quite difficult to break down but France looking like the only team who was going to score. The extra-time period ended with the match still 2-0 to France but 2-2 on aggregate, which meant a place in the semi-finals of the Nations League was going to be decided by penalties.
The shootout was as dramatic as they come and the overall quality of penalties wasn't great at all. Theo Hernandez, Jules Kounde and Franjo Ivanovic all skied their penalties pretty much in the exact same position, but it was Mike Maignan who was the star of the shootout. The AC Milan goalkeeper saved two penalties, helping his side win the shootout 5-4, with Dayot Upamecano scoring the winner, sending France through to the semi-finals in dramatic fashion.
France 2-0 Croatia - Match Statistics
France
62
28
8
16
0
2
Match Highlights
France Player Ratings
Kylian Mbappe in action for France
GK: Mike Maignan - 8/10
Didn't have a save to make, but his quick distribution was excellent and kickstarted many attacks for his side. Maignan, despite being untested during regular time, stepped up in the penalty shootout.
RB: Jules Kounde - 7.5/10
Excellent defensively and a constant energetic presence up and down the right flank, even though his delivery into the box flattered to deceive at times.
CB: Dayot Upamecano - 7/10
Good with the ball at his feet and not really challenged defensively.
CB: William Saliba - 7.5/10
Just like his centre-half partner Upamecano, Saliba was good in possession of the ball but didn't have much serious defending to do as Croatia's attackers didn't offer much throughout the match.
LB: Theo Hernandez - 7/10
Didn't really get involved in the first half, but in the second period and extra time, Hernandez was a big threat down the left flank with his pace although just like his full-back counterpart, Kounde, his delivery into the box wasn't great.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni - 8/10
The Real Madrid midfielder battled really well in midfield and won most of his duels. Although Tchouameni was good in possession and from a pressing and tackling perspective, he won a lot of headers from corners but failed to convert them.
CM: Kouadio Kone - 7.5/10
Energetic and proved to be a valuable asset to France both defensively and going forward. Kone had some slick moments on the ball and began some good attacks.
AM: Michael Olise - 9/10 (Man of the Match)
The best player on the pitch. The Bayern Munich man not only slotted home a beautiful free kick and provided an assist, but his all-round play was also excellent.
RW: Ousmane Dembele - 8.5/10
Despite having a quiet first half, Dembele grew into the game and put in an excellent performance in the second half. He proved to be a constant threat with his pace and trickery and even scored a tidy goal to level up the tie for France.
ST: Kylian Mbappe - 5.5/10
Didn't have much involvement in the match aside from his involvement in Dembele's goal and struggled to implement his typically dangerous pace and power against Croatia's back line. Mbappe's finishing was also very poor, having fired several shots in good areas either wide or over the bar.
LW: Bradley Barcola - 6/10
Started the match well but was neutralised by Stanisic for the majority of his time on the pitch.
SUB: Desire Doue - 7.5/10
Arguably changed the game for his side. Doue replaced Barcola after 65 minutes and his fresh legs were needed. The youngster looked to drive forward every single time he picked the ball up and gave the French attack a new lease of life after his introduction.
SUB: Randal Kolo Muani - N/A
Didn't have much involvement in the match after coming on.
SUB: Eduardo Camavinga - N/A
Didn't have much involvement in the match after coming on.
SUB: Warren Zaire-Emery - N/A
Didn't have much involvement in the match after coming on.
Croatia Player Ratings
Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic
GK: Dominik Livakovic - 5.5/10
Although he made an excellent save in the first half, the Fenerbache goalkeeper had no real chance of keeping out France's goals. Livakovic also didn't have the best night in terms of dealing with crosses and high balls into his box.
RB: Josip Stanisic - 7.5/10
Looked to have a long night ahead of him after his start against Barcola, but he redeemed himself and put in a good defensive performance and kept his side tough to break down.
CB: Duje Caleta-Car - 7/10
Put his body on the line and made some great clearances and blocks for his side throughout the match.
CB: Josip Sutalo - 7.5/10
The glue which held the Croatia backline together at times. Sutalo was practically a brick wall and made several great tackles, blocks and clearances.
LB: Josko Gvardiol - 6.5/10
Had a tough night up against Dembele, particularly in the second half but managed to stay defensively solid for the most part.
CM: Luka Modric - 6.5/10
The match just wasn't played to his strengths. Modric rarely misplaced a pass when in possession of the ball but he just tired as the match went on due to the relentless attacking pressure from France.
CM: Mateo Kovacic - 6/10
Just like Modric, the match just wasn't played to Kovacic's strengths and he was quickly worn out by France's pressure.
CM: Petar Sucic - 6/10
Pressed well and worked really hard for his team but didn't really contribute anything going forward.
RW: Ivan Perisic - 6/10
Did well to help out Stanisic defensively, but going forward he didn't offer much at all.
ST: Ante Budimir - 5/10
Was somewhat of a nuisance for Upamecano and Saliba given his size and strength, but he seemed more focussed on fouling players than trying to contribute to his side's attacks.
LW: Andrej Kramaric - 5.5/10
Never really got involved in the match
SUB: Franjo Ivanovic - N/A
Didn't have much involvement in the match after coming on.
SUB: Mario Pasalic - N/A
Didn't have much involvement in the match after coming on.
SUB: Martin Baturina - N/A
Didn't have much involvement in the match after coming on.
SUB: Kristijan Jakic - N/A
Didn't have much involvement in the match after coming on.
SUB: Nikola Moro - N/A
Calmed down the match with his ability to break the French press and proved to be a good substitution by the Croatia manager.
SUB: Marin Pongracic - N/A
Didn't have much involvement in the match after coming on.