Croatia 2-0 France: Nations League quarter-final result as hosts win first leg thanks to Ante Budimir & Ivan Perisic

MATCH REPORT: CROATIA DOWN FRANCE
Croatia will take a 2-0 advantage into Sunday’s second leg of the UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie with France after earning an impressive victory in Split.

First-half goals by Ante Budimir and Ivan Perisic ensured a memorable triumph over Les Bleus in what was a repeat of the World Cup 2018 final. Andrej Kramaric also had a first-half penalty saved by visiting stopper Mike Maignan.

Maignan had no answer to Budimir’s powerful near-post header and just before the break, Perisic – who had provided the assist – doubled Croatia’s lead with a stunning half-volley.

Kylian Mbappe failed to mark his first appearance for his country in six months with a goal, with Dominik Livakovic earning a hard-fought clean sheet.

The Real Madrid star forced the Croatia goalkeeper into a string of stops, including an excellent fingertip save in the dying embers of the game.

The sides will do it all again in three days’ time at the Stade de France.

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Kylian Mbappe’s first appearance since October ends in defeat as France leave themselves with it all to do on Sunday.

Les Bleus’ five-game unbeaten run is ended by a smart, resilient and brave Croatia side, who took their chances when they came along.

Zlatko Dalic’s charges will be confident of finishing off the job, following excellent performances by a number of players, with Josko Gvardiol and the great Luka Modric really shining.

Should they hold on in Paris, they will meet either the Netherlands or Spain in the last four, as they eye a return to the final of the competition they came so close to winning in 2023.

Didier Deschamps, on the other hand, has his work cut out to keep France on track to winning a second Nations League title.

Goals by Ante Budimir and Ivan Perisic prove decisive as Croatia earn an impressive win in Split.

Ivanovic wins the foul from Upamecano to give Croatia the chance to breathe. The hosts will take their time with this free-kick.

Digne delivers a deep corner into the Croatia penalty area, it falls for Olise whose first-time effort fails to test Livakovic.

Time is running out for Les Bleus.

Petar Sucic is on for Kramaric as the hosts attempt to see the game out.

Michael Olise has around six minutes to make an impression as he replaces Dembele, while Manu Kone takes the place of Guendouzi.

Dembele cuts the ball back into the path of Mbappe and his first-time shot takes a deflection, forcing Livakovic into a brilliant fingertip save.

That's the closest France have come tonight.

A perfectly-timed challenge from Gvardiol takes the ball from Dembele and that just about sums up the Manchester City's star sublime night in defence.

France work the ball nicely into the wide area, where Dembele collects and drives. He opts to shoot from distance but drags his effort off target.

Modric clips the free-kick into the penalty area but fails to pick out a team-mate and when Croatia recover the ball, they work it all the way back to their goalkeeper.

Playing with the handbrake on.

Gvardiol - who has been excellent - draws the foul from Upamecano, who also has his name taken.

Tchouameni goes into the referee's notebook.

Barcola escapes the attention of his marker but somehow fails to connect with Guendouzi's cross at the near post! Any kind of touch and Croatia were in trouble.

Perisic's night comes to an end as he receives a standing ovation from the home fans following a superbly taken goal and fine assist. He is replaced by Nikola Vlasic.

Croatia have two players down and yet continue to try to play their way out from the back. Eventually the referee awards a free-kick for Barcola's foul on Modric.

It has been a productive night in goal for Livakovic.

Eduardo Camavinga and Bradley Barcola are on for Rabiot and Kolo Muani.

Just over 25 minutes of normal time remain, but you still cannot write off Les Bleus.