Croatia Defeats France 2-0 in Nations League First Leg

Croatia achieved a remarkable 2-0 victory over France in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-finals held in Split on March 20, 2025. Despite an early penalty miss by Andrej Kramarić, Croatia took the lead with Ante Budimir's header in the 26th minute, assisted by Ivan Perišić. Shortly before halftime, Perišić scored himself, doubling Croatia's advantage just before the break. Throughout the match, Croatia showcased solid defense, particularly from goalkeeper Dominik Livaković, who made key saves against France's attempts to equalize. The French team, featuring Kylian Mbappé returning from absence, struggled to find their rhythm and face a challenging task in the second leg at Stade de France. The outcome leaves Croatia in a strong position to advance, aiming for their first Nations League title.