Match preview for Croatia v France
The stage is ready for Croatia to welcome France on Thursday night of their Nations League quarter-final twin.
The victor will proceed to the semi-finals, the place they’ll face both the Netherlands or Spain in June.
Following an underwhelming group-stage exit throughout Euro 2024 final summer time, the Croatian nationwide staff managed to safe eight factors from six fixtures, putting them second in League A Group 1 of the Nations League through the latter half of the earlier yr.
At present ranked thirteenth globally by FIFA, Croatia narrowly missed out on the Nations League title in 2023, succumbing to Spain in a penalty shootout after a goalless 120 minutes.
Their latest house type has been robust, with just one loss of their final seven matches throughout all competitions.
Nevertheless, historic outcomes towards France have been difficult for Croatia. They’ve solely managed one win of their final 10 encounters, albeit their most up-to-date assembly within the earlier Nations League event, a 1-0 away victory in March 2022.
Whereas Spain holds the titles of reigning Nations League and Euros champions, France, a Euro 2024 semi-finalist, stands because the highest-ranked European nation and second globally, trailing solely 2022 World Cup victors Argentina.
Touché à la cheville gauche, @MarcusThuram est forfait pour la double confrontation face à la Croatie ❌
Bon rétablissement Tikus 💪#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/DXMCcqFlTI
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) March 17, 2025
Didier Deschamps has guided Les Bleus for almost 13 years, boasting a report of 105 wins from 165 matches.
Nevertheless, the 56-year-old has confirmed his intention to step down after the 2026 World Cup.
France have already surpassed their efficiency from the 2023 Nations League, the place they did not advance from the group stage.
This time, they amassed 13 factors from six matches in League A Group 2, securing the highest spot forward of Italy primarily based on head-to-head outcomes.
Les Bleus at the moment are striving for his or her second Nations League title underneath Deschamps, having beforehand triumphed within the 2020-21 competitors.
Workforce information for Croatia v France
Croatia can be lacking Luka Sucic, Lovro Majer, and Igor Matanovic as a result of accidents. Bruno Petkovic, just lately recovered from a hip difficulty, has not been chosen.
Luka Modric, at 39, is poised to earn his 185th worldwide cap. He could also be joined in midfield by Mateo Kovacic and Petar Sucic, who returns after serving a suspension.
For France, Marcus Thuram has withdrawn as a result of an ankle damage, with no alternative known as up.
Kylian Mbappe returns after lacking the earlier worldwide breaks. He may type an attacking quartet with Michael Olise, Randal Kolo Muani, and Ousmane Dembele.
UEFA Nations League is again this month 🙌#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/SKgvtiu5NO
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) March 1, 2025
Anticipated line-ups for Croatia v France
Croatia: Livakovic; Juranovic, Caleta-Automotive, Sutalo, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Modric, Sucic; Perisic, Kramaric, Baturina
France: Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Saliba, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Mbappe; Kolo Muani
How you can watch Croatia v France: TV channel, on-line stream
Croatia v France will kick-off at 19:45 however isn’t out there to view on TV for UK followers.