Match report

Croatia Stuns France 2-0 in UEFA Nations League

Croatia
Croatia
2–0
FT
France
France
Mar 20, 2025

Croatia stunned France in a decisive UEFA Nations League match, securing a 2-0 victory. Ivan Perišić and A. Budimir scored crucial goals for Croatia, while France struggled to find an equalizer despite numerous substitutions.

Key Facts

  • • Croatia defeated France 2-0 in the UEFA Nations League
  • • A. Budimir scored the opening goal in the 26th minute, assisted by Ivan Perišić
  • • Ivan Perišić netted the second goal in the 45+1 minute
  • • France made multiple substitutions but could not find the back of the net
  • • Two yellow cards were issued to France players, Aurélien Tchouaméni and D. Upamecano

Lineups

Croatia

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 D. Livaković (G)
  • 2 J. Stanišić (D)
  • 6 J. Šutalo (D)
  • 5 D. Ćaleta-Car (D)
  • 4 J. Gvardiol (D)
  • 10 L. Modrić (M)
  • 8 M. Kovačić (M)
  • 14 I. Perišić (M)
  • 16 M. Baturina (M)
  • 9 A. Kramarić (M)
  • 11 A. Budimir (F)

Substitutes

  • 20 F. Ivanović
  • 15 M. Pašalić
  • 13 N. Vlašić
  • 21 P. Sučić
  • 17 T. Fruk
  • 3 M. Pongračić
  • 19 B. Sosa
  • 7 N. Moro
  • 12 D. Kotarski
  • 22 J. Juranović
  • 23 I. Ivušić
  • 18 K. Jakić

France

Formation: 4-3-1-2

Starting XI

  • 16 M. Maignan (G)
  • 5 J. Koundé (D)
  • 15 I. Konaté (D)
  • 17 W. Saliba (D)
  • 3 L. Digne (D)
  • 19 M. Guendouzi (M)
  • 8 A. Tchouaméni (M)
  • 14 A. Rabiot (M)
  • 7 O. Dembélé (M)
  • 12 R. Kolo Muani (F)
  • 10 K. Mbappé (F)

Substitutes

  • 4 D. Upamecano
  • 20 B. Barcola
  • 6 E. Camavinga
  • 11 M. Olise
  • 13 M. Koné
  • 21 J. Clauss
  • 23 L. Chevalier
  • 22 T. Hernández
  • 9 D. Doué
  • 1 B. Samba
  • 18 W. Zaïre-Emery
  • 2 B. Pavard

Timeline

  1. Croatia
    26' Croatia Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Budimir · Assist: Ivan Perišić
  2. Croatia
    45'+1 Croatia Goal · Normal Goal
    Ivan Perišić
  3. France
    46' France subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Ibrahima Konaté · On: D. Upamecano
  4. Croatia
    60' Croatia subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Budimir · On: F. Ivanovic
  5. Croatia
    60' Croatia subst · Substitution 2
    Off: M. Baturina · On: M. Pasalic
  6. France
    64' France subst · Substitution 2
    Off: R. Kolo Muani · On: B. Barcola
  7. France
    64' France subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Adrien Rabiot · On: E. Camavinga
  8. Croatia
    70' Croatia subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Ivan Perišić · On: N. Vlasic
  9. France
    74' France Card · Yellow Card
    Aurélien Tchouaméni

    Foul

  10. France
    75' France Card · Yellow Card
    D. Upamecano

    Foul

  11. France
    84' France subst · Substitution 4
    Off: O. Dembele · On: M. Olise
  12. France
    84' France subst · Substitution 5
    Off: M. Guendouzi · On: Manu Koné
  13. Croatia
    85' Croatia subst · Substitution 4
    Off: A. Kramaric · On: P. Sucic

Match Stats

Stat Croatia France
Fouls 12 12
Pass Accuracy 81% 89%
Offsides 2 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 8 16
Corners 3 9
Total Passes 371 595
Yellow Cards 0 2
Blocked Shots 2 4
Shots on Target 4 6
xG — —
Shots off Target 2 6
Possession 38% 62%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 299 529
Shots Inside Box 7 13
Saves 6 2
Shots Outside Box 1 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ A. Budimir's goal in the 26th minute gave Croatia an early lead and shifted momentum in their favor
  • ▸ Ivan Perišić's second goal in injury time solidified Croatia's control and sealed the victory