Today, March 23, 2025, France host Croatia at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis for a blockbuster UEFA Nations League quarter-final second leg. The Les Bleus team suffered a 2-0 loss in Split during their march 20 match. For advancement to the next round Croatia requires three goals ahead or two goals with an added extra time period. Croatia enters this game boasting confidence to protect their present position as they aim for June semi-final qualification. Due to its considerable importance both teams must tackle this contest relentlessly. This pre-match breakdown examines the first game between both teams while examining the current team dynamics and approaches and significant athletes and makes predictions for an upcoming electrifying battle.
First Leg Recap
The beginning point starts with the initial fixture between these teams. During March 20 Croatia achieved a shock victory against France while playing at Stadion Poljud in Split. Ante Budimir leapfrogged his rivals to open the scoring after Ivan Perišić delivered an accurate cross that the defender converted into a powerful header in the 26th minute. In the final moments of the first half Perišić scored a fundamental goal by hitting an intense ball from near the edge of the penalty area.
Croatia displayed continuous dominance even after Andrej Kramarić missed his penalty attempt when he struck the post in the first half. France intensified their attack in the last moments of the match as Kylian Mbappé attempted to score against Dominik Livaković until the Croatian defensive line remained steadfast. Les Bleus now face a must-win situation because they head back to their home nation with a 2-0 deficit to overcome today.
Team Form and Context
France’s Home Advantage
France commence this match because various expectations weigh upon them. The French national team won whole Group A2 in Nations League after securing four victories from their six matches while scoring 13 goals. The team proved their attacking abilities during their November match when they defeated Italy with a score of 3-1.
Their first-leg defeat concluded a sequence of six undefeated competitive games. France displayed outstanding home performance because they won four of their last five Nations League matches while scoring 12 goals throughout that period. The Stade de France spectators have witnessed Les Bleus securing victory in eight out of their last ten competitive games. Home team support will be key for Les Bleus to generate a comeback victory today.
Croatia’s Resilient Spirit
The Croatian team arrives with positive energy to the match. During Group A1 competition Croatia held the runner-up position by winning three matches and drawing three times from their six encounters. The 2-0 victory against France represented their first win in three attempts which restored their faith. Their traveling form has become questionable since they won only once out of their last five far-away matchups. Croatia has managed to keep their opponents from beating them by more than one goal in each game after their June 2024 defeat at Euro 2024 to Spain by 3-0. Zlatko Dalić directs his team to protect their position by restarting another defensive wall against France.
Team News and Lineups
France’s Selection Tweaks
The French soccer squad has undergone several changes before team selection. Since his brief ban from captaincy Mbappé continued his role as the team leader in the team setup. Three players potentially position behind Mbappé consist of Ousmane Dembélé alongside Bradley Barcola to offer rapid stretching support.
Deschamps may introduce changes to his midfield after his players failed to impress them in Split. The midfield role for Warren Zaïre-Emery is up for competition between Eduardo Camavinga and Manu Koné as both players could start alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni. The knee issue with Ibrahima Konate makes Dayot Upamecano an almost certain selection alongside William Saliba as defensive partners. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan plans to maintain a clean sheet in the premier position.
Croatia’s Steady Core
Meanwhile, Croatia stick with their trusted spine. The 39-year-old Luka Modrić together with Mateo Kovačić continues to demonstrate remarkable skill in midfield. From the front position Budimir and Perišić unite with Kramarić fielding ahead of them in the attack. The defensive core of Croatia counts on Joško Gvardiol and Josip Stanišić as they maintain their strong performance and Dominik Livaković shows ups in goal. Marcelo Brozović makes a comeback after his minor injury which provides Croatia with better choices in midfield. Dalić maintains plenty of reason to keep the current squad formation.
Tactical Breakdown
France’s Attacking Intent
In their tactical alignment France uses a 4-3-3 formation to promote swift attacking maneuvers. The French team under Deschamps seeks to create an initial pace attack against Croatia. Both Mbappé and Dembélé create space in the defensive ranks by running forward and executing dribbles effectively. During the Split match the midfield units failed to maintain command over possession against Modrić and Kovačić. The fresh energy from Camavinga could turn out decisive for this match. France struggles with aggressive high pressing since Croatia managed to seize those open spaces previously. During the match Perišić scored a speed-driven counterattack goal. During the match Les Bleus will control the ball while striving to initiate rapid attacking moves.
Croatia’s Defensive Resolve
The Croatian side relies on mathematical techniques while showing disciplined forbearance as their operational method. Coach Dalić directs his team with either a 4-3-3 formation or the 4-2-3-1 defensive system. France will stay compact in their positions before quickly advancing when the opposition pushes forward. Modrić uses his vision to coordinate counters with Perišić while Gvardiol navigates Mbappé through his speed. Despite a lack of ball control Croatians excel in physical aspects of the match. The team from Split claimed 14 aerial duels while France gained eight during their meeting. Set-pieces and disciplined execution serve Croatia as their main tactical tools in modern matches.
Historical Rivalry
Next, let’s explore their past. During the 2018 World Cup final France defeated Croatia with a score of 4-2. Since the 2018 World Cup final Croatia managed to win two of their latest three games against their rivals. France maintains a flawless set of results against Croatia during home matches of competitive competitions. When France defeated Croatia 4-2 during the home Nations League game at Stade de France they displayed their dominance at the stadium. Recent Croatian performance data shows that this upcoming match has an uncertain outcome.
Last 5 Head-to-Head Stats
During their last five matches both teams have secured two wins each yet Croatia proved victorious in the most recent third matchup.
- March 20, 2025: Croatia 2-0 France (Nations League)
- June 13, 2022: France 0-1 Croatia (Nations League)
- September 8, 2020: France 4-2 Croatia (Nations League)
- July 15, 2018: France 4-2 Croatia (World Cup Final)
- October 14, 2014: France 2-1 Croatia (Friendly)
Recent French defeat against Croatia creates an indication of a competitive upcoming clash.
Key Players to Watch
France’s Game-Changers
The French national team places Mbappe as its top player. His exceptional blend of speed with finishing ability transforms matches beyond what occurs during his lackluster performance in Split. Dembele brings disorder to the Croatian defense by playing along their right side. Tchouaméni conducts the passes for France while Saliba provides defensive stability at the middle of the field. A joint connection between these players will bring difficulties for Croatia’s defense.
Croatia’s Clutch Performers
As the proven captain of the Croatian national team Modrić continues to be the foundation of their success. His composure under pressure dictates their play. Perišić demonstrated his determination and scoring ability to Serbia when he was 36 during his previous match. Gvardiol must contend with Mbappé throughout the entire game to set the tone for the match. Livaković’s goal-saving interventions will possibly make the difference in the match.
Stats and Trends
Now, let’s crunch some numbers. The French team scored 2.1 goals during their last ten matches combining four defensive clean sheets. The Croatian team produces 1.5 goals per match while they let opponents score only 1.2 goals during the same period. Four home games within the final five matches for France resulted in scoring events for both teams while Croatia conceded scores in three of their recent five away games. Recent evidence shows that six of France’s last ten matches ended with their teams scoring two and a half goals or more. Thus, expect fireworks today.
Match Conditions
The kick-off at 3:45 PM ET is scheduled to start under sunny weather conditions where Saint-Denis maintains a temperature of 14°C with gentle wind breezes. France’s technical system finds success on their home grass but Croatia’s physical nature threatens to even the contest. Due to their famous loud chants the French supporters at Stade de France can potentially unsettle their opponents at the very beginning of the game.
Prediction and Betting Tips
The community of France holds stronger forecasting capabilities. Eight victories from ten home matches creates an optimistic mood for the French team. Mbappé and set-piece goals will probably result in French points while Saliba becomes an important set-piece threat. Croatia displays genuine strength that shows they will challenge in the upcoming match. The Croats secured their only victory of 2022 by defeating France 1-0 in that matchup. The match can progress to extra time as both France and Croatia share a likelihood for a 2-0 French victory. The final outcome becomes decisive for Croatia if they manage to score two goals against France while remaining one goal behind.
The betting odds for a France victory alongside both teams scoring the goal stand at 4.50. An anytime goal from Mbappé provides 1.80 odds while Perišić’s bet comes in at 4.00. Moreover, over 2.5 goals at -120 fits the trends. Betters have various predictive options at their disposal.
Final Thoughts
This game delivers extensive consequences for all participants involved. Following the Split defeat France wants to restore their national prestige. Croatia battles for their place in the semi-finals against other teams. Regardless, both promise a spectacle. With kickoff looming, anticipation builds. Will French creativity outshine Croatian determination during the match? The Stade de France stadium will present all answers soon enough.
