PLAYER RATINGS | France 2-0 Croatia (agg. 2-2, pens 5-4): Michael Olise-inspired Bleus secure place in Nations League final four | OneFootball

UEFA Nations League, Quarter-finals, 23/03/25

France overturned a 2-0 deficit to beat Croatia on penalties (2-0, agg. 2-2, pens 5-4) and secure their place in the final four of the UEFA Nations League.

The Match

It was France who were chasing the game and that was evident from the first whistle. Croatia came to the Stade de France to sit deep and defend and, by and large, they did that well in the first 45 minutes. Les Bleus were limited to half chances with Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni both striking narrowly off target from inside the box.

It was not until the 38th minute that France had a clear sight on goal. It was Michael Olise who won the ball high, threading through the lively Bradley Barcola, whose first-time effort was saved by the legs of Dominik Livakovic. But it was only so long until Croatia’s negative approach to the match would be punished.

France got one back through Michael Olise, who got his first goal in a France shirt with a sumptuous curled direct free-kick. It was the Bayern Munich forward’s cross that was almost flicked in by Josip Sutalo later in the half. Livakovic was grateful to see the Croatian defender’s deflection fly just wide but he would be picking the ball out of his net once again minutes later.

This time it was Olise the provider, cutting the ball back for Ousmane Dembélé to stroke home first time. Failing to get the winner before the end of the 90 minutes, the game went to extra-time. Les Bleus continued to be the more enterprising with Croatia showing little to no intention of grabbing a goal of their own.

Livaković was kept busy in extra time, making five saves: two from Désiré Doué and three from Mbappé. It was a save from the France captain in the second half of extra-time that was the pick of the bunch as Croatia clung on to force a penalty shootout. Mike Maignan, untested all game, then stepped up to be the hero, saving twice as Croatia missed three penalties.

France weren’t clinical either with Jules Koundé and Theo Hernandez missing, however, Dayot Upamecano stepped up to take the decisive spot-kick at sudden death. Les Bleus will now face Spain in the semi-finals.

France player ratings

Mike Maignan – 7

The AC Milan goalkeeper was not asked to do anything in normal time or extra time, however, he certainly stepped up in the penalty shoot-out, making two big saves.

Theo Hernandez – 5

William Saliba – 6

Dayot Upamecano – 6

Jules Koundé – 6

Bradley Barcola – 6

Lively in the first half, getting the better of his opponent, Josip Stanisic, he was the most reliable source of danger before being replaced by debutant Desiré Doué (6) midway through the second half.

Manu Koné – 5

Aurélien Tchouaméni – 6

Michael Olise – 8

A slightly mixed match from the Bayern Munich man. His technical quality was on show throughout, however, his decision-making and synchronicity with his teammates were, at times, lacking, leading to a few wasted opportunities. However, he got his goal and then got the assist. He was the key man in this remontada as he put in his first quality performance in a France shirt.

Kylian Mbappé – 6

A frustrating evening for Mbappé in many ways as his barren run for France continues; the Real Madrid forward now hasn’t scored in his last seven games for Les Bleus. However, it was only Livaković who denied him. The Croatian goalkeeper pulled off three big saves to deny the captain. Despite his lack of luck in front of goal, he was valuable for his side and kept getting in goal-scoring positions.

Ousmane Dembélé – 6

Dembélé’s impressive goalscoring form with PSG converted on the international stage. His decisive, one-touch finish was evocative of many of the goals that he has scored in recent weeks and months. A free-roamer, he dipped in and out but made a crucial impact on this match.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle