France have leveled Portugal at the top of the Nations League group A, with a 2-1 win over Croatia.
The pair had met in the 2018 World Cup final in Russia and as it was that day, the French came out on top.
La composition de nos Bleus pour affronter la Croatie ! #CROFRA #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/lvgLOu8BUu
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) October 14, 2020
Didier Deschamps named an attacking trio of Anthony Martial, Antoine Griezmann, and Kylian Mbappé and it was the middle man who opened the scoring on eight minutes, firing home from 18-yards after good work from Benjamin Mendy on the right.
Minutes later, Mbappé should’ve been on the scoresheet as well after he missed the target from close range, with Martial playing him in for a huge goal scoring chance.
After a penalty claim on Martial was waved away, Croatia hit back with some of their own attacking play, and a penalty shout too; Bruno Petkovic going to ground in the box, but too softly in the referee’s opinion.
? #Croatia starting lineup! ????#BeProud #CROFRA #NationsLeague #Vatreni pic.twitter.com/1HOrJJzTWk
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) October 14, 2020
The second half started positively for either side. It was an entertaining watch in Croatia Stadion Maksimir and both teams looked like scoring the next goal, which eventually went the way of the home side.
Luka Modric had a quiet first-half but played a part in Croatia’s goal, finding Josip Brekalo who squared it for Nikola Vlasic to find the equalizer.
The goal woke France up slightly and they began to inflict that pace on the Croatian defense as they did in the first half.
Paul Pogba could’ve had a goal after Griezmann’s cross caused trouble inside the Croatia penalty box, until minutes later, Mbappé got clear of the defenders and was bearing down on Dominik Livakovic in the Croatia goal, before sliding it underneath him for 2-1.
Andrej Kramaric had a good chance to equalize for Croatia late on but for France shot-stopper Hugo Lloris having a steady night in goal. Portugal’s 3-0 win over Sweden means they and France are tied on 10 points at the top of Group A, with Portugal leading one on goal difference.
It’s over! Victory in Zagreb for our Bleus! @AntoGriezmann and @KMbappe scored the France goals #CROFRA #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/igC4qmSUXq
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) October 14, 2020