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Mbappe's Return Spoiled as France Falls to Croatia in Nations League
Well, folks, it was a tough night for France in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, as they suffered a disappointing 2-0 loss to Croatia. Despite the much-anticipated return of captain Kylian Mbappe, Les Bleus couldn't turn the tide in their favor and now face an uphill battle in the second leg.
The game kicked off with high energy, but Croatia wasted no time asserting dominance. In the 26th minute, Ante Budimir's header found the back of the net in an unfortunate sequence for France. Mike Maignan, the French goalkeeper, got a touch on it, but the ball spun past him, giving Croatia the early lead. France struggled to respond, and just before halftime, Croatia struck again. Ivan Perisic, the former Tottenham winger, delivered a precise and powerful shot into the bottom corner, extending Croatia's lead to 2-0. It was a moment of sheer class from Perisic, and it left France with a mountain to climb.
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France had their chances, but they just couldn't capitalize. Maignan had earlier kept France in the game with a brilliant penalty save in the 8th minute against Andrej Kramaric, but his efforts alone weren't enough. Josko Gvardiol also came close for Croatia with a powerful shot that Maignan managed to keep out. Meanwhile, Mbappe, returning to the squad after six months, tried to make an impact but struggled to find his rhythm. Despite six shots, he couldn't inspire a comeback.
This defeat means France now faces an immense challenge in the second leg at the Stade de France. They haven’t had much success in the Nations League when conceding first, with their last comeback win dating back to October 2021 against Spain. The pressure is now on Didier Deschamps and his squad to turn things around and keep their hopes alive.
It was a frustrating night for French fans, but credit has to be given to Croatia for their clinical performance. With a solid defense and sharp finishing, they’ve put themselves in a strong position heading into the next leg. Will France find a way to bounce back? We’ll find out soon enough!
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