France must overturn a two-goal deficit during the second leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie on Sunday evening when they visit Croatia.
Les Bleus suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat in Split on Thursday night as goals from Ante Budimir and Ivan Perisic downed Didier Deschamps’ star-studded squad, leaving the 2018 world champions with an enormous hill to climb if they want to reach the semi-finals.
The disappointing midweek defeat means they have now lost their last two clashes with Croatia and will have their work cut out to unlock Zlatko Dalic’s experienced outfit in Saint-Denis.
Thursday’s victory ended a three-game winless run for Croatia, who will be full of confidence for Sunday’s return leg. However, they haven’t won away from home soil since before Euro 2024 and can’t afford any lapses in concentration against France’s superstars.
Here is 90min’s guide to the clash.
France vs Croatia head-to-head record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
France |
Croatia |
|---|---|
|
Croatia 2-0 France – 20/03/25 |
Croatia 2-0 France – 20/03/25 |
|
Italy 1-3 France – 17/11/24 |
Croatia 1-1 Portugal – 18/11/24 |
|
France 0-0 Israel – 14/11/24 |
Scotland 1-0 Croatia – 15/11/24 |
|
Belgium 1-2 France – 14/10/24 |
Poland 3-3 Croatia – 15/10/24 |
|
Israel 1-4 France – 10/10/24 |
Croatia 2-1 Scotland – 12/10/24 |
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
Viaplay International YouTube |
|
United States |
fuboTV, ViX |
|
Canada |
DAZN Canada |
Liverpool supporters were left sweating over the fitness of Ibrahima Konate following the first leg, with the centre-back supposedly substituted at half-time due to injury. However, Deschamps has since confirmed that the alteration was tactical after a disappointing showing from the 25-year-old.
Dayot Upamecano could come into the starting XI on Sunday as a result, while Deschamps may also move away from the 4-3-1-2 system that failed to inspire in Split.
Moving to a 4-2-3-1 formation could help France unlock their attacking potential, with Michael Olise another Bayern Munich star potentially earning a recall to the starting lineup.
France predicted lineup vs Croatia (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Camavinga; Dembele, Olise, Mbappe; Kolo Muani.
Perisic played with the energy and confidence of someone ten years his junior on Thursday night as he scored and assisted. The PSV Eindhoven man will earn another start alongside fellow veterans Luka Modric and Andrej Kramaric.
Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic was in fine form against France as he repeatedly rebuffed France’s forward line and he and his defenders will have to be at their best to protect the two-goal cushion.
Dalic is unlikely to make any changes from the team that sparkled on Thursday.
Croatia predicted lineup vs France (4-2-3-1): Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol; Modric, Kovacic; Perisic, Baturina, Kramaric; Budimir.
Despite Croatia’s two-goal advantage from the first leg, France will still be significant favourites to secure victory on Sunday and many will fancy their chances of overturning the deficit and reaching the last four.
France should offer more attacking ingenuity during the second leg in front of their home supporters and have the personnel to punish an ageing Croatia side who will be undoubtedly fatigued from the first encounter just a few days ago.
