Mounting a nail-biting Nations League comeback on Sunday night time, France edged their well beyond Croatia on penalties and formally booked their semi-final spot in Paris.
Marking their return to the French capital chasing a two-goal deficit following their shock first-leg defeat in Cut up on Thursday night time, Les Bleus have been backed by a passionate Stade de France.
Whereas Didier Deschamps’ aspect may need didn’t discover a breakthrough throughout the first-half, Bayern Munich ace Michael Olise handed the previous world champions a deserved lead simply seven minutes after the restart.
Though Sunday’s hosts may need left it late, they did handle to pull themselves to extra-time because the red-hot Ousmane Dembele despatched the Stade de France into overdrive within the remaining 10 minuets.
With Les Bleus unable to finish their comeback within the further 30 minuets, Deschamps’ famous person squad did drag themselves over the ending line from the penalty spot.
AC Milan shot-stopper Mike Maignan saved Martin Baturina’s opening try and Franjo Ivanovic blazed over because the hosts had the benefit just for each Jules Kounde and Theo Hernandez to fluff their traces.
Nonetheless, with Maignan proving to be Deschamps’ hero, the 29-year-old denied Josip Stanisic effort earlier than Bayern Munich teammate Dayot Upamecano powered house the decisive spot-kick.
In what was a Nations League thriller from Paris on Sunday night time, now we have taken a take a look at the primary speaking factors.
Deschamps will get the outcome he wanted
Whereas the French Soccer Federation may need given Deschamps their full backing following Les Blues’ World Cup remaining heartbreak again within the winter of 2023, the 56-year-old discovered extra strain on his shoulders following their first-leg journey to Cut up in midweek.
Falling to that 2-0 loss on overseas soil and marking their return to Paris on Sunday night time going through an actual uphill battle, Deschamps had made his exceptions clear.
Avoiding what would have been a serious Nations League exit right here, the previous Marseille boss will know that stability is essential going ahead this yr.
Signing off their League A journey by mustering 13 factors from their remaining 5 group stage appearances, Sunday’s hosts will now have their sights set on what will likely be a heavyweight semi-final showdown in opposition to Spain in June.
Dragging themselves over the ending line on house soil, Deschamps subsequent large problem will likely be on how he can get the very best out of skipper Kylian Mbappe.
Dembele dazzles once more in Paris
Finishing a everlasting transfer to the French capital final summer time after agreeing a £43.5million transfer from Barcelona, Dembele has launched into a outstanding rise since returning to his homeland.
Spearheading PSG’s cost to the Champions League quarter-finals earlier within the month after overcoming Premier League giants Liverpool, the 27-year-old has solely additional underlined his standing as certainly one of Europe’s hottest stars in 2025.
Discovering the online right here and bagging a late strike to equal the scoreline on combination, the one-time Borussia Dortmund ace has loved a outstanding begin to the New 12 months.
Heading into March’s worldwide break with a purpose in opposition to Marseille on March sixteenth, Dembele has registered an astonishing 23 targets for membership and nation since getting back from France’s festive interval.
Trying to drag PSG to a well-known European and home sweep this season, Dembele has rapidly blossomed into one of many Key components of Deschamps’ squad heading into subsequent yr’s World Cup.
Croatia fall quick as soon as once more
Springing what was an upset in Cut up on Thursday night time as they claimed what seemed to be a vital 2-0 first-leg victory, Croatia travelled to Paris seeking to accumulate a heavyweight scalp.
Nonetheless, in what was a repeat of the 2018 World Cup remaining, the Blazers as soon as once more fell quick as they suffered extra public heartbreak below the intense lights.
Enduring a public EURO 24 nightmare final summer time as they didn’t win any of their three group stage appearances, Zlatko Dalic’s aspect have drastically failed to search out any current stability.
With their ageing squad wanting like they’re lastly beginning to run out of legs, Croatia have now received only a trio of their earlier 11 aggressive appearances throughout all competitions.
Set to get their World Cup qualifying marketing campaign underway in June, Dalic could have loads of questions that want answering forward of what might be a new-look squad.
Match Report
France: Maignan, Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez, Tchouameni, Kone, Dembele, Olies, Barcola, Mbappe
Subs: Zaire-Emery, Doue, Camavinga, Kolo Muani
Croatia: Livakovic, Stanisic, Sutalo, Caleta-Automotive, Gvardiol, Modric, Kovacic, Perisic, Sucic, Kramaric, Budimir
Subs: Jakic, Moro, Baturina, Pongracic
Objectives: Olise (52’), Dembele (80’)
Yellow Playing cards: France: Mbappe, Kolo Muani – Croatia: Kovacic, Caleta-Automotive, Gvardiol, Livakovic
Crimson Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Michael Oliver
