PLAYER RATINGS | Croatia 2-0 France: Les Bleus face uphill battle after disappointing first-leg | OneFootball

UEFA Nations League, Quarter Final first-leg, 20/03/2025

France suffered a first-leg setback in the UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie against Croatia. Two first-half goals from Ante Budimir and Ivan Perešić see Les Bleus trailing on aggregate ahead of the second leg at the Stade de France.

The match

The first controversy of the match arrived with a hopeful ball launched into the France area. A cross from the right flank hit Ibrahmia Konaté on the hand and the referee awarded Croatia a penalty instantly. Andrej Kramarić stepped up to the spot and was unable to beat Mike Maignan who managed to save with his legs. Mbappé went closest for the away side with a low effort in the area but Livakovic was easily able to turn the captain’s shot behind for a corner.

Despite missing an early penalty, Croatia would still take the lead. Ante Budimir managed to run across William Saliba, stealing a march on the Arsenal defender, and turn his header home at the near post following Peresic’s cross. The first goal allowed the home team to seize advantage and take control of the match; in the minutes that followed, France were unable to build any consistent possession.

Peresič would then double the misery suffered by the Les Bleus defence right on half time. Saliba’s block falls perfectly into the path of the PSV winger to half-volley beyond Maignan in the France goal. A well-taken goal and some lacklustre defending saw the home side two goals behind at the break.

After the break, Les Bleus were seeing more of the ball and offered more threat in attack. Ousmane Dembélé almost halved the deficit as he managed to shape and shoot, but he couldn’t squeeze his effort in at the near post. The PSG forward soon found himself with another opportunity, after Mbappé picked him out with a good cross, but Livakovic did well to deny his volley.

France improved in the second half but not to a level where they could trouble the Croatian defence as the visitors did in the first half.

France player ratings:

Mike Maignan – 6

Jules Koundé – 4

Ibrahima Konaté – 3

It was a night to forget for the Liverpool centre-back. The defender gave away a reckless penalty in the early stages of the game after clumsily handling the ball in his area. This mistake went unpunished, but defensively he looked shaky alongside Saliba. Replaced by Dayot Upamecano (45′) – 6.

William Saliba – 4

Caught napping, the Arsenal defender was largely at fault for the opening goal as he failed to track the run of Ante Budimir allowing the forward to escape in behind him and head home unmarked. He never looked convincing alongside Konaté at the heart of the defence.

Lucas Digne – 5

Aurélien Tchouaméni – 5

Mattéo Guendouzi – 5

Adrien Rabiot –  5

Ousmane Dembélé – 6

The PSG forward looked like the only player who might produce something in the final third for Les Bleus. Dembélé benefitted from a more central position but he was unable to put away any of the chances that were presented to him.

Kylian Mbappé – 5

Randal Kolo Muani – 4

GFFN | Liam Wraith