Croatia vs France, UEFA Nations League quarterfinal Highlights: Mbappe and Co. lose 0-2 to Croats led by Modric

Croatia vs France, UEFA Nations League quarterfinal Highlights: Mbappe and Co. lose 0-2 to Croats led by Modric

Welcome to Sportstar’s highlights of the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal between Netherlands and Spain, which was played at Stadion Poljud in Split, Croatia.

Ivan Perisic had a match to remember with a goal and assist as Croatia beat France 2-0 to take a comfortable lead going into the return leg of the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals.

Dembele and Mbappe combine for another attack, with the former beating Gvardiol to try and shoot on target. He manages to do so but Livakovic’s fingertip save denies Les Blues a certain chance to open their account in this match.

Guendouzi combines with Barcola to try and find a goal back. However the batt set up for Barcola, is missed at the last moment.

Mbappe turns creator yet again as he sets up Dembele. The PSG forward shoots on the volley but Livakovic pushes it out of danger.

Mbappe tries to set up an attack in the second half, delivering a cross to Digne, who tries to beat Stanisic. But the Bayern Munich defender does well to ward off the attack as the development ends in a goal kick.

Croatia is continuously asking questions around the French box. Saliba gives the ball away cheaply and Modric makes a run to force a corner for the hosts, which ends to nothing, to France’s relief.

Croatia, which missed a chance to get in front through the penalty finally finds the net off Budimir. Perisic sets up the 33-yar-old striker, who makes no mistake to break the deadlock close to the half-hour mark.

Les Blues go for a quick attack on the opposite side and Mbappe gets to the ball and tries to find a goal. However, Livakovic makes a good save to deny a certain opening goal in the match.

Gvardiol makes a forward run before passing it to Kovacic. Seconds later, Gvardiol latches onto a loose ball to take a shot, which worries Maignan just enough to sees it out of danger.

Konate had given away an early penalty and Kramaric stepped up to take it. However, Maignan makes a great save to deny what could have pushed the visitors back quite immediately.

The first few minutes have been a tight affair, with both sides trying to maintain possession. However, there has not ben a real chance of scoring for either France or Croatia.

The match between Croatia and France begin, with two club teammates, Modric and Mbappe going against each other in Split.

The players walk out of the tunnel and line-up for the National anthems. The stage is set! The players, ready! We will get underway in the first leg of the quarterfinal very soon.

France will clash against Croatia in a UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first-leg match at the Stadion Poljud in Split on Friday.

Heading into this match, France enjoys a clear dominance over Croatia, winning six of the 10 matches they have played till now.

The teams first played on July 8, 1998, in a FIFA World Cup match, where France won 2-1, and the last time the teams clashed was in a Nations League match, where the Croatians edged a 1-0 win.

The most memorable match these two teams were involved in was the 2018 World Cup final in Russia, where the Les Blues clinched a 4-2 win to win their second World Cup title.

The Croatia vs France UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first-leg clash will kick-off at the Stadion Poljud in Split on Friday, March 21 at 1:15 AM IST.

The Croatia vs France UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first-leg will be live telecast on the Sony Sports Network. The match can also be live streamed on the Sony LIV app and website.