A rematch of the 2018 World Cup final takes center stage on Thursday night as Croatia hosts France at Stadion Poljud in Split for the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final clash.
The winner of this two-legged tie will move on to face either the Netherlands or Spain in the semi-finals this June.
After a disappointing group-stage exit at Euro 2024 last summer, Croatia regrouped in the Nations League, finishing second in League A Group 1 with eight points from six matches (2 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses).
Coach Zlatko Dalic's side struggled toward the end of the group stage, failing to win their last three games—drawing twice (3-3 against Poland and 1-1 against group winners Portugal) and losing 1-0 to Scotland. Despite the shaky finish, Croatia did just enough to advance to the knockout stages.
Currently ranked 13th in the FIFA world rankings, Croatia came agonizingly close to Nations League glory in 2023, losing 5-4 on penalties to Spain after a tense 120-minute goalless draw in the final.
Croatia will aim to use their home advantage to their benefit on Thursday. The Checkered Ones have been tough to beat at home in recent years, losing just once in their last seven matches across all competitions, keeping five clean sheets and conceding only two goals.
However, Croatia has historically struggled against France, winning just one of their last ten meetings. That lone victory, though, came in their most recent clash—a 1-0 away win during the previous Nations League tournament in March 2022.
France enters this match as the highest-ranked European nation and the second-best team globally, behind 2022 World Cup champions Argentina. Despite Spain holding both the Nations League and Euro titles, France’s consistency under Didier Deschamps has kept them at the top.
Deschamps, who has managed Les Bleus for nearly 13 years, boasts an impressive record of 105 wins in 165 matches (a 63.64% win rate). The 56-year-old has announced he’ll step down after the 2026 World Cup, making this Nations League campaign one of his final tests.
France improved on their Nations League 2023 performance, where they failed to get past the group stage. Last year, they topped League A Group 2 with 13 points from six matches (4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss), edging out Italy thanks to a superior head-to-head record.
Les Bleus are chasing their second Nations League title under Deschamps after winning the 2020-21 edition. France heads to Split in confident form, having won their last three away games by an impressive aggregate score of 9-3, including victories over Belgium and Italy.
France struggled against Croatia in the group stage of the previous Nations League (1 draw, 1 loss), but they dominated the 2020 Nations League tournament, beating Croatia twice, including a 2-1 win in Zagreb. And of course, France famously defeated Croatia 4-2 in the 2018 World Cup final in Russia.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Croatia will be without key midfielders Luka Sucic and Lovro Majer, as well as attacker Igor Matanovic, all sidelined with injuries. Striker Bruno Petkovic has recently recovered from a long-term hip issue but hasn’t been called up this month.
At 39 years old, Real Madrid captain Luka Modric could earn his 185th international cap, adding invaluable experience to Croatia’s midfield. He’s likely to be joined by Manchester City’s Mateo Kovacic and Dinamo Zagreb’s Petar Sucic, who served a one-match suspension in the last game and is now available for selection.
In defense, Josko Gvardiol and Josip Sutalo are expected to start, providing stability at the back. Up front, veteran Ivan Perisic—Croatia’s top scorer in the current squad with 33 international goals—could lead the attack alongside Andrej Kramaric and Martin Baturina.
On the French side, Inter Milan forward Marcus Thuram has withdrawn from the squad due to an ankle injury. Coach Didier Deschamps has opted not to call up a replacement.
Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe returns to the squad after missing the last two international breaks. He could lead a potent French front four alongside Michael Olise, Randal Kolo Muani, and in-form Ousmane Dembele.
Deschamps faces a selection dilemma at left-back between Theo Hernandez and Lucas Digne. In midfield, Adrien Rabiot is expected to start after a standout performance in mid-November, where he scored twice and assisted once on his 50th appearance for France in a 3-1 win over Italy.
POSSINLE LINE-UPS
Croatia possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Juranovic, Caleta-Car, Sutalo, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Modric, P. Sucic; Perisic, Kramaric, Baturina
France possible starting lineup:
Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Saliba, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Mbappe; Kolo Muani
EXPERT PREDICTIONS
Croatia 1-2 France
