France manager Didier Deschamps believes his side can secure qualification for the UEFA Nations League semifinals despite a 2-0 loss to Croatia in their quarterfinal first leg.
In a repeat of the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, Les Blues received a boost with the return of Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé, who made his first appearance since September 2024.
Croatia squandered an early penalty when Mike Maignan blocked Andrej Kramaric’s spot kick.
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate committed a handball in the area, prompting the penalty award.
The 2018 World cup silver medalist were not to be denied a second time, going ahead through Ante Budimir before doubling their lead before halftime through former Tottenham Hotspur star Ivan Perisic, to take a 2-0 lead into the break.
“We made a good start, but there were losses of balls, technical errors. We gave opportunities to the opponent,” Deschamps told TF1 after the match.
“The second half was much better. Maignan saved the penalty. After that, it went on. We lost the ball. We did what we had to do in the second half without finding the efficiency.”
The French team were much better after the break but struggled to trouble opposing goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, who made comfortable saves from Ousmane Dembele and Mbappe.
Paris Saint Germain duo, Dembele and Bradley Barcola, also spurned great chances to pull one back for the visitors as Croatia sealed the shock victory.
Zlatko Dalic’s side increased their unbeaten against Deschamps’ team to three games ahead of a tricky second leg at the Stade De France on Sunday.
“We lost the first set, we’re going to make sure we win the second at home. Our first half was below what we were capable of doing,” Deschamps added.
“We will do everything to turn the situation around. Everything we could give them in the first half, we were punished. There was far too much waste on the technical level.”
The winner of the tie after both legs will face either defending champions Spain or the Netherlands in the semifinals in June.
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