PARIS, France – France go face Croatia for the second leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final on Sunday, March 23, 2025, after dem suffer shock 2-0 defeat for the first leg in Split. With the stakes high, Didier Deschamps’ men need at least two goals to force extra time and three to win outright.
The first leg, played on March 20, saw Croatia take control with goals from Ante Budimir and Ivan Perisic. Croatia’s resilience during the match left France in a critical position, as they need to bounce back to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
History dey favor Croatia as dem beat France to clinch their first win against dem since 1998 World Cup. Speaking after the match, Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic says, “This victory wasn’t just about scoring; it’s about belief and our team’s spirit.” Meanwhile, Deschamps’ frustration was clear as he admitted, “We need to refocus and come out strong.”
Despite the defeat, pundits feel that France’s squad depth and home advantage make dem favorites to still qualify. Kylian Mbappe, who returned from a brief absence due to a disagreement with Deschamps, looks set to lead the attack alongside Ousmane Dembele and Randal Kolo Muani, who have been in strong form.
“We know we have the talent to turn this around,” Mbappe said. “We just need to finish our chances and avoid defensive errors.” Croatia’s ageing midfield, featuring veterans like Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic, could be challenged by France’s pace and youthful energy.
Reports confirm that France midfielder Marcus Thuram remains out with an ankle injury. However, Deschamps might bring in fresh legs in the form of Eduardo Camavinga and Bradley Barcola to tackle the experienced Croatian side.
Tonight’s clash will take place at the Stade de France, with kickoff set for 8:45 PM local time. Fans can catch the action live on Fox Sports and FOX Soccer Plus in the USA.
In the first leg, France controlled possession and had clear opportunities but couldn’t convert, which raised questions about their attacking style and formation. Statistical analysis showed that France generated an expected goals (xG) of 1.32 compared to Croatia’s 1.43.
After the first leg, Croatia sits confidently with a +2 goal advantage, but they’re also aware that France is a different beast at home. France’s last two meetings with Croatia saw Les Bleus struggle to score while conceding weak goals.
The match odds reflect the tension, with France listed as clear favorites to win the match but will need to deal with a well-organized Croatian defense that has proven successful in recent encounters.
Many fans are questioning if France’s attack can rise to the occasion as history shows Les Bleus usually bounce back strongly after disappointing displays. They’re betting on a high-scoring game, expecting over 2.5 goals based on both teams’ attacking prowess.
Whether France can execute this plan or if Croatia’s defense holds strong will determine their fortune tonight.
