Football

Nations League: France Scrape Past Croatia 5-4 In Penalty Shootouts To Make Semis

France battled past Croatia via the penalty shootouts route on Monday (March 24, 2025) to reach the UEFA Nations League semi-finals, where they were joined by Germany, Spain and Portugal. France won the shootout by a 5-4 scoreline against Croatia after leading 2-0 post full time to level the tie overall and force extra time, which saw no more goals scored. Dayot Upamecano scored the decisive spot kick after goalkeeper Mike Maignan brilliantly saved from Josip Stanisic.

UEFA Nations League 2024-25 Quarter-Finals Second Leg France vs Croatia: William Saliba
Nations League 2024-25 Quarter-Finals: France vs Croatia | Photo: AP/Thibault Camus

France's William Saliba, left, Kylian Mbappe, center, and Desire Doue celebrate after winning the penalty shootout during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between France and Croatia, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris.

2/10
UEFA Nations League 2024-25 Quarter-Finals Second Leg France vs Croatia: Jules Kounde
Nations League 2024-25 Quarter-Finals: France vs Croatia | Photo: AP/Thibault Camus

France's Jules Kounde, left, Ousmane Dembele, center, and Kylian Mbappe celebrate after winning the penalty shootout during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between France and Croatia, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris.

3/10
UEFA Nations League 2024-25 Quarter-Finals Second Leg France vs Croatia Photo
Nations League 2024-25 Quarter-Finals: France vs Croatia | Photo: AP/Thibault Camus

France players celebrate after winning the penalty shootout during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between France and Croatia, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris.

4/10
UEFA Nations League 2024-25 Quarter-Finals Second Leg France vs Croatia: 1
Nations League 2024-25 Quarter-Finals: France vs Croatia | Photo: AP/Thibault Camus

France players celebrate after winning the penalty shootout during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between France and Croatia, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris.

5/10
UEFA Nations League 2024-25 Quarter-Finals Second Leg France vs Croatia: Kylian Mbappe
Nations League 2024-25 Quarter-Finals: France vs Croatia | Photo: AP/Thibault Camus

France's Kylian Mbappe, left, attempts a shot on goal past Croatia's Nikola Moro during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between France and Croatia, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris.

6/10
UEFA Nations League 2024-25 Quarter-Finals Second Leg France vs Croatia: William Saliba
Nations League 2024-25 Quarter-Finals: France vs Croatia | Photo: AP/Thibault Camus

France's William Saliba, second from left, and Croatia's Franjo Ivanovic vie for the ball during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between France and Croatia, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris.

7/10
UEFA Nations League 2024-25 Quarter-Finals Second Leg France vs Croatia: Ousmane Dembele
Nations League 2024-25 Quarter-Finals: France vs Croatia | Photo: AP/Thibault Camus

France's Ousmane Dembele (7) celebrates scoring his side's 2nd goal during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between France and Croatia, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris.

8/10
UEFA Nations League 2024-25 Quarter-Finals Second Leg France vs Croatia: Kylian Mbappe
Nations League 2024-25 Quarter-Finals: France vs Croatia | Photo: AP/Thibault Camus

France's Kylian Mbappe reacts after missing a chance to score during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between France and Croatia, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris.

9/10
UEFA Nations League 2024-25 Quarter-Finals Second Leg France vs Croatia: Bradley Barcola
Nations League 2024-25 Quarter-Finals: France vs Croatia | Photo: AP/Thibault Camus

Croatia's Josip Stanisic, left, and France's Bradley Barcola go for the ball during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between France and Croatia, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris.

10/10
UEFA Nations League 2024-25 Quarter-Finals Second Leg France vs Croatia: Olivier Giroud
Nations League 2024-25 Quarter-Finals: France vs Croatia | Photo: AP/Thibault Camus

French player Olivier Giroud, center, is honored for his 137 international appearances with the national team prior to the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between France and Croatia, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris.

CLOSE