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Match preview for Croatia v France
The stage is set for Croatia to welcome France on Thursday evening in their Nations League quarter-final dual.
The victor will proceed to the semi-finals, where they will face either the Netherlands or Spain in June.
Following an underwhelming group-stage exit during Euro 2024 last summer, the Croatian national team managed to secure eight points from six fixtures, placing them second in League A Group 1 of the Nations League during the latter half of the previous year.
Currently ranked 13th 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 recent home form has been strong, with only one loss in their last seven matches across all competitions.
However, historical results against France have been challenging for Croatia. They have only managed one win in their last 10 encounters, albeit their most recent meeting in the previous Nations League tournament, a 1-0 away victory in March 2022.
While Spain holds the titles of reigning Nations League and Euros champions, France, a Euro 2024 semi-finalist, stands as the highest-ranked European nation and second globally, trailing only 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 nearly 13 years, boasting a record of 105 wins from 165 matches.
However, the 56-year-old has confirmed his intention to step down after the 2026 World Cup.
France have already surpassed their performance from the 2023 Nations League, where they failed to advance from the group stage.
This time, they accumulated 13 points from six matches in League A Group 2, securing the top spot ahead of Italy based on head-to-head results.
Les Bleus are now striving for their second Nations League title under Deschamps, having previously triumphed in the 2020-21 competition.
Team news for Croatia v France
Croatia will be missing Luka Sucic, Lovro Majer, and Igor Matanovic due to injuries. Bruno Petkovic, recently recovered from a hip issue, has not been selected.
Luka Modric, at 39, is poised to earn his 185th international cap. He may be joined in midfield by Mateo Kovacic and Petar Sucic, who returns after serving a suspension.
For France, Marcus Thuram has withdrawn due to an ankle injury, with no replacement called up.
Kylian Mbappe returns after missing the previous international breaks. He could form an attacking quartet with Michael Olise, Randal Kolo Muani, and Ousmane Dembele.
UEFA Nations League is back this month 🙌#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/SKgvtiu5NO
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) March 1, 2025
Expected line-ups for Croatia v France
Croatia: Livakovic; Juranovic, Caleta-Car, Sutalo, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Modric, Sucic; Perisic, Kramaric, Baturina
France: Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Saliba, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Mbappe; Kolo Muani
How to watch Croatia v France: TV channel, online stream
Croatia v France will kick-off at 19:45 but is not available to view on TV for UK fans.