France 2-0 Croatia result - Mike Maignan guides Les Bleus to Nations League semi-finals in penalty shoot-out

UEFA Nations League / Quarter-final
Stade de France / 23.03.2025
Completed
2
5
0
4
Aggregate score 2-2
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FRANCE HOLD THEIR NERVE IN THE SHOOT-OUT
France emerged victorious on penalties to seal their place in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals against Spain after a 2-0 win over Croatia in Paris.
Michael Olise ignited the turnaround with a stunning free-kick just seven minutes into the second half, halving Croatia's aggregate lead after their 2-0 victory in the first leg. The Bayern Munich star then delivered an assist to the in-form Ousmane Dembele, whose first-time finish forced the tie into extra time.
Kylian Mbappe came closest to breaking the deadlock but was thrice denied by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, ensuring the French star’s eight-month wait for an international goal continued.
But it was Livakovic’s counterpart Mike Maignan who proved the hero in the shoot-out, with the AC Milan stopper saving two penalties, paving the way for Dayot Upamecano to strike the decisive spot-kick.
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Image credit: Getty Images


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France
FRANCE DESERVEDLY THROUGH
France are through to the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory over Croatia.
Deservedly so, they were the better side over the two legs and should have sealed the deal some time ago. Had Kylian Mbappe - who is still without an international goal for over eight months - had been more prolific they would have done so.
Credit to Croatia for making it a nervy finale and dragging the match to penalties where Mike Maignan proved the hero.
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Image credit: Getty Images


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France
UPAMECANO SCORES! FRANCE WIN 5-4 ON PENALTIES!
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Croatia
MAIGNAN SAVES FROM STANISIC! 4-4
The shoot-out takes another twist!
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France
DOUE SCORES! 4-4
Confidently dispatched!
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Croatia
CALETA-CAR SCORES! 3-4
Croatia lead in the shoot-out for the first time!
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France
HERNANDEZ MISSES! 3-3
Unbelievable scenes as the full-back fails to hit the target!
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Croatia
JAKIC KEEPS CROATIA ALIVE - 3-3
Another coolly taken penalty.
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France
KOLO MUANI SCORES! 3-2
Strokes it down the middle. Fine penalty.
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Croatia
PASALIC BLASTS IT DOWN THE MIDDLE - 2-2!
Croatia needed that!
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France
KOUNDE MISSES! 2-1
A lifeline for Croatia as Kounde lifts his effort over the bar!
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Croatia
IVANOVIC BLAZES OVER! 2-1
A terrible penalty, and France are now in a fantastic position to win this match.
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France
TCHOUAMENI SCORES - 2-1
Again Livakovic dives the right way, but again he fails to keep the effort out despite getting a hand to it.
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Croatia
MORO SCORES - 1-1
Cool, calm, collected - Moro sticks it into the corner of the net.
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France
MBAPPE SCORES, JUST! 1-0
The goalkeeper guesses the correct way but the ball squeezes past him.
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Croatia
PENALTY SAVED! 0-0
Baturina's spot-kick is saved brilliantly by Maignan!
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PENALTIES IT IS!
119'
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France
AND AGAIN MBAPPE IS DENIED!
The France captain is desperate to win the game for his side but cannot find a way past Livakovic.
117'
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France
MBAPPE... NO!
Mbappe with a half volley at goal from close range but again Livakovic won't be beaten as he makes himself big to deny the France forward.