Exciting Showdown: Croatia National Football Team Vs France National Football Team

Match Date & Time: First Leg: March 20, 2025, 8:45 PM CET (Poljud Stadium, Split, Croatia); Second Leg: March 23, 2025, 8:45 PM CET (Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France)

Croatia National Football Team Vs France National Football Team Lineups from the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 quarterfinals in March 2025 delivered a thrilling two-legged tie full of drama, goals, and a tense penalty shootout. Croatia secured a 2-0 first-leg win at Poljud Stadium with goals from Ante Budimir (26′) and Ivan Perišić (45+1′), only for France to fight back 2-0 in the second leg at Stade de France, leveling the aggregate at 2-2 before Croatia triumphed 5-4 on penalties. Dominik Livaković’s shootout saves proved decisive as Croatia advanced to the semifinals.

France National Football Team Vs Croatia National Football Team Lineups — the reverse perspective — highlighted France’s star-studded attack led by Kylian Mbappé but Croatia’s tactical discipline and midfield mastery from Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić ultimately won the day. These matches recalled the 2018 World Cup final rivalry, with Croatia’s resilience shining against France’s talent.

Table of Contents

Quick Summary

Croatia advanced past France 2-2 (agg) 5-4 on penalties in the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals (March 20/23, 2025). First leg: Croatia 2-0 (Budimir 26′, Perišić 45+1′). Second leg: France 2-0 (agg 2-2; Croatia win pens). Croatia’s 4-2-3-1 featured Modrić/Kovačić midfield; France’s 4-3-3 had Mbappé up front. Top performers: Perišić (goal), Livaković (pen saves) for Croatia; Mbappé (threat) for France. Key stats: Croatia defensive solidity first leg; France 58% possession avg. Turning point: Shootout saves; impact: Croatia to semis, France eliminated.

🏟️ ## Key Players/Teams/Lineups Croatia’s lineup emphasized midfield experience with Modrić, while France relied on Mbappé’s speed.

Lineups Overview

Team	Formation	Key Changes/Injuries
Croatia	4-2-3-1	Modrić captain; no major injuries.
France	4-3-3	Mbappé returned; Thuram absent.

Croatia Lineup (First Leg)

GK: Dominik Livaković
Def: Josip Stanišić, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Josip Šutalo, Joško Gvardiol
Mid: Luka Modrić (c), Mateo Kovačić
Att: Nikola Vlašić, Martin Baturina, Ivan Perišić
ST: Ante Budimir

Key Players: Modrić (vision), Gvardiol (defense).

France Lineup (First Leg)

GK: Mike Maignan
Def: Jules Koundé, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Theo Hernández
Mid: Aurélien Tchouaméni, Kouadio Koné
Att: Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola
ST: Kylian Mbappé

Key Players: Mbappé (pace), Saliba (solidity).

Notable Stats: Modrić 92% pass accuracy.

Event Details Breakdown

The two-legged tie was part of UEFA Nations League knockout stage.

Detail	Info
Venue (First Leg)	Poljud Stadium, Split
Venue (Second Leg)	Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance	Poljud: 35,000+; Stade de France: 80,000+
Competition	UEFA Nations League 2024/25 Quarterfinals

Half-by-Half Scoring

First Leg: First half: 2-0 Croatia; Second half: 0-0. Second Leg: First half: 1-0 France; Second half: 1-0 France; Penalties: 5-4 Croatia.

Leg/Half	Croatia Goals	France Goals	Notes
Leg 1 First Half	2	0	Budimir, Perišić.
Leg 1 Second Half	0	0	Defensive.
Leg 2 First Half	0	1	France push.
Leg 2 Second Half	0	1	Agg 2-2.
Penalties	5	4	Croatia win.

Additional Details

Injuries limited France; cards minor.

Category	Details
Injuries/Updates	France: Thuram (ankle) out. Croatia: Full strength.
Cards	Few yellows; no reds.
Substitutions	5 per team per leg; tactical shifts.

Match Essentials: What, Where, When, Why, and How

What happened? Croatia advanced on penalties after 2-2 aggregate.

Where? Poljud (Split) first leg; Stade de France second.

When? March 20/23, 2025 – quarterfinals.

Why Croatia won? Defensive masterclass first leg, shootout heroics second.

How did Croatia National Football Team Vs France National Football Team Lineups influence? Croatia’s midfield duo outshone France’s attack.

📊 ## Half-by-Half Breakdown

First Leg First Half: Croatia Take Control

Croatia struck early with Budimir’s header from a corner.

Perišić doubles lead with volley.
France create but Livaković saves. Momentum to Croatia. Strategies: High press; France caught off guard.

First Leg Second Half: Croatia Hold Firm

France pushed but Croatia defended deeply.

Gvardiol key clearances.
No goals despite pressure. Momentum stayed with Croatia. No injuries disrupted.

Second Leg First Half: France Respond

France dominated possession, scoring to level aggregate.

Mbappé assist.
Croatia absorb. Momentum to France. Tactical switch: Croatia more defensive.

Second Leg Second Half & Penalties: Shootout Drama

France equalized, forcing penalties.

Croatia 5-4 win.
Livaković saves two. Momentum swung in shootout. Croatia’s composure decisive.

🌟 ## Highlight Standout Performances Veterans led the way.

Player	Team	Key Metrics (Goals/Assists)	Rating	Notable
Ivan Perišić	Croatia	1 Goal	8.2	First-leg volley.
Ante Budimir	Croatia	1 Goal	7.8	Header opener.
Kylian Mbappé	France	0/1	7.5	Constant threat.
Luka Modrić	Croatia	0/0	7.6	Midfield maestro.
Dominik Livaković	Croatia	0/0	8.0	Penalty hero.
Joško Gvardiol	Croatia	0/0	7.4	Defensive rock.

Performance Comparisons

Croatia efficient despite less possession.

Possession & Shots Summary

Team	Possession Avg	Shots (On Target) Avg	Big Chances Avg
Croatia	42%	10 (4)	2
France	58%	15 (6)	4

Passing & Defensive Stats

Team	Pass Accuracy	Tackles Won	Clean Sheets
Croatia	82%	Higher	First leg
France	88%	Lower	Second leg

Croatia’s counters lethal.

Clutch Moments/Key Decisions

Budimir’s 26′ header shifted momentum in first leg.

Perišić’s 45+1′ goal killed France’s hope before half.

In Croatia National Football Team Vs France National Football Team Lineups, Modrić’s midfield dominance was key.

Livaković’s penalty saves sealed advancement.

Dalić’s defensive setup first leg was masterful.

Deschamps’ attacking push second leg nearly worked but fell short in shootout.

Conclusion

Croatia’s dramatic advancement past France in the 2025 Nations League quarterfinals (2-2 agg, 5-4 pens) underscored their big-game pedigree and tactical savvy. Modrić’s leadership and Livaković’s heroics propelled them to the semis, boosting confidence for 2026 World Cup qualifiers. France’s elimination highlighted midfield vulnerabilities despite Mbappé’s brilliance.

For Croatia National Football Team Vs France National Football Team Lineups, experience edged youth. Implications: Croatia solidify elite status; France reassess. Teaser: Can Croatia lift Nations League? More coming.

These ties epitomized soccer’s thrill — heart, skill, drama.

FAQs

What were Croatia National Football Team Vs France National Football Team Lineups in first leg?

Croatia: 4-2-3-1 with Livaković; Stanišić, Ćaleta-Car, Šutalo, Gvardiol; Modrić, Kovačić; Vlašić, Baturina, Perišić; Budimir. France: 4-3-3 with Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernández; Tchouaméni, Koné; Dembélé, Olise, Barcola; Mbappé.