UEFA Nations League: France Defeats Croatia in World Cup Finals ‘Replay’
France came from behind to defeat Croatia 4-2 in a replay of the 2018 World Cup final on Tuesday.
Straight off to business, Croatia took the lead in the 16th minute when Lovren beat Lucas to fire a low effort beyond the Hugo Lloris.
Barcelona forward, Griezmann was denied by the leg of Livakovic in the 33rd minute, though the goalkeeper could not stop him from getting France back into the game minutes later with a slick finish which moved him to 5th on the log of the all time highest goal scorers for the French side levelled on 31 goals with Zinedine Zidane.
The world cup winners took the lead before halftime as Anthony Martial’s attempt from Wissam Ben Yedder’s excellent cross hit the post and rebounded off the back of Croatia’s Livakovic.
Substitute, Brekalo came in for Ante Rebic in the second half and scored within 10 minutes to bring the World Cup runners up back in the game.
Eduardo Camavinga – who, at 17 years and 303 days old, became France’s youngest debutant since 1914 who introduced alongside Chelsea’s Olivia Giroud for France in response to the pressure their familiar opponents were mounting, but it was Upamecano who rose highest to head home Griezmann’s corner shortly after the hour mark.
With French back in front and building momentum and invading Croatia’s penalty area, Marcelo Brozovic was penalised for handball and Giroud tucked home from the penalty spot with 13 minutes left to play.
Didier Deschamps’ side won by the same scoreline as they did two years ago in Moscow.
Results
Tuesday 8 September
A2 Belgium 5-1 Iceland
A2 Denmark 0-0 England
A3 France 4-2 Croatia
A3 Sweden 0-2 Portugal
C1 Cyprus 0-1 Azerbaijan
C1 Luxembourg 0-1 Montenegro
C2 Armenia 2-0 Estonia
C2 Georgia 1-1 North Macedonia
D2 San Marino 0-2 Liechtenstein
