Croatia 2-0 France, UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal First Leg In Pics

Croatia ruined Kylian Mbappe's return to the French colours as they beat France 2-0 in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal game between the two sides. Ante Budimir headed the opening goal of the game in the 26th minute to give Croatia the lead and then Ivan Perišic doubled the advantage in first-half stoppage time. France would now have to pull off a dominating comeback in the home leg to advance further in the competition.

Photo Webdesk

Updated on: 21 March 2025 2:17 pm

UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first leg match between Croatia vs France: 1

UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first leg: Croatia vs France | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

Croatia's Luka Modric and team mates salute fans after the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and France, at the Poljud stadium in Split, Croatia.

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UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first leg match between Croatia vs France: Kylian Mbappe

UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first leg: Croatia vs France | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

France's Kylian Mbappe controls the ball during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and France, at the Poljud stadium in Split, Croatia.

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UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first leg match between Croatia vs France: Nikola Vlasic

UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first leg: Croatia vs France | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

France's Kylian Mbappe attempts to control the ball between Croatia's Nikola Vlasic, left, and Croatia's Josip Stanisic during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and France, at the Poljud stadium in Split, Croatia.

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UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first leg match between Croatia vs France: Josip Stanisic

UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first leg: Croatia vs France | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

France's Kylian Mbappe challenges for the ball with Croatia's Josip Stanisic during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and France, at the Poljud stadium in Split, Croatia.

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UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first leg: Croatia vs France | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

France's Kylian Mbappe looks down during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and France, at the Poljud stadium in Split, Croatia.

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UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first leg match between Croatia vs France: Josko Gvardiol

UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first leg: Croatia vs France | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

France's Kylian Mbappe tries to control the ball between Croatia's Duje Caleta-Car and Croatia's Josko Gvardiol, right, during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and France, at the Poljud stadium in Split, Croatia.

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UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first leg match between Croatia vs France: Didier Deschamps

UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first leg: Croatia vs France | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

France's coach Didier Deschamps hugs France's Adrien Rabiot as he leaves the pitch after being substituted during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and France, at the Poljud stadium in Split, Croatia.

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UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first leg match between Croatia vs France: Mateo Kovacic

UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first leg: Croatia vs France | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

Croatia's Mateo Kovacic celebrates after Croatia's Ivan Perisic scored his side's second goal during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and France, at the Poljud stadium in Split, Croatia.

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UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first leg match between Croatia vs France: Luka Modric

UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first leg: Croatia vs France | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

Croatia's Luka Modric hugs Croatia's Ante Budimir after he scored his side's first goal during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and France, at the Poljud stadium in Split, Croatia.

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UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first leg match between Croatia vs France: Duje Caleta-Car

UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first leg: Croatia vs France | Photo: AP/Darko Bandic

Croatia's Duje Caleta-Car tries to block a shot by France's Kylian Mbappe during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and France, at the Poljud stadium in Split, Croatia.