Nations League: France Edges Croatia in Penalty Shootout to Reach Semifinals

The France national team narrowly advanced to the semifinals of the UEFA Nations League after a dramatic penalty shootout win against Croatia. Despite Luka Modric and his team upsetting the French with a 2-0 victory at home, Didier Deschamps’ side managed to stay calm and force extra time in the second leg at Stade de France.

In the return fixture, France were under pressure but found a way back into the game. A goal from Michael Olise of Bayern Munich and an equalizer from Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain leveled the score, bringing the game to extra time. However, neither team was able to break the deadlock, and the match was eventually decided by a penalty shootout.

The penalty drama unfolded in front of a packed Stade de France, with 14 shots taken during the shootout. The decisive miss came from Josip Stanišić, another Bayern Munich player, whose failed attempt handed France the win and a spot in the next round of the UEFA Nations League. As a result, France will now face Ukraine in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Nations League 2024-2025

France - Croatia 2:0 (0:0), shoot-out 5:4
Goals: Olise, 52 (1:0); Dembele O., 80 (2:0)

France: Maignan; Kounde; Saliba; Upamecano; Theo Hernández; Kone Ko. (Zaire-Emery, 111); Olise (Camavinga, 106); Tchouaméni; Barcola B. (Doue D., 66); Dembele O. (Kolo Muani, 99); Mbappé
Bench: Samba B.; Chevalier L.; Digne; Konate; Pavard; Clauss J.; Guendouzi; Rabiot
Yellow Cards: Mbappé 37; Kolo Muani 103

Croatia: Livaković; Gvardiol (Pongracic, 106); Stanisic; Caleta-Car; Sutalo J.; Sučić P.; Kovacic M. (Jakic, 82); Modric (Moro N., 82); Perišić I. (Pasalic, 71); Budimir (Ivanović Fr., 60); Kramaric (Baturina M., 71)
Bench: Kotarski; Ivusic; Sosa B.; Juranovic; Vlašić; Fruk
Yellow Cards: Stanisic 35; Gvardiol 45; Kovacic M. 45; Caleta-Car 61; Livaković 74; Jakic 90