FRANCE are staring down the barrel at a possible Nations League relegation after losing to Croatia in Paris.
A Luka Modric penalty decided things and Les Bleus can now no longer qualify for the finals and defend their title.
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Au revoir from Saint-Denis
Goodnight from France – but not a good night for France.
Defeat to Croatia in front of their own fans at the Stade de France meant that Les Bleus ended this bumper international window without a win.
It means that Didier Deschamps’ men will be unable to successfully defend their Nations League title, but the bigger concern will be whether they can successfully defend their World Cup come November.
Until then, there is plenty of French food for fought – they’re just lucky it tastes good.
Thanks for joining us, and goodnight.
French rooted to foot of group
Defeat this evening has ensured that France will be unable to successfully defend their Nations League title.
Didier Deschamps team at bottom of the pile in League A, Group 1, and in serious danger of relegation.
Croatia, meanwhile, are up to second following victory, behind leaders Denmark, who beat Austria by two goals in Copenhagen.
- Denmark 2-0 Austria
- France 0-1 Croatia
Credit: uefa.com Match stats from Stade de France
France racked up 17 attempts on goal, but barely tested Croatia goalkeeper Ivica Ivusic on what was a well-drilled and well-deserved win for the visitors.
Full time – France 0-1 Croatia
It’s all over! A famous win for Croatia, and another game without success for the French.
Just as they did a week ago, Didier Deschamps’ team paid the penalty, conceding from the spot – this time to Luka Modric in the fifth minute.
It means Les Bleus are winless from their four games in this international break, and exposes their coach to a summer of speculation regarding his future.
France 0-1 Croatia – Croatian substitution
90+1. Zlatko Dalic eats up a few more seconds with a final substitution.
Mateo Kovacic takes his leave – very slowly – and on comes Luka Sucic.
France 0-1 Croatia
90. The fourth official signals that there will be four minutes of added time played at the Stade de France.
Are Croatia on the verge of a famous victory on French soil?
France 0-1 Croatia
89. As far as this game goes, the French have run out of ideas, and are quickly running out of time.
As far as his job goes, can the same be said of Didier Deschamps?
France 0-1 Croatia
87. West Ham’s Vlasic almost seals victory for Croatia with a few minutes remaining.
The visitors again break up some laboured French possession, and get forward in numbers.
Eventually, the ball is played into the path of substitute Vlasic, whose turn and shot is smothered by Maignan.
The French goalkeeper has certainly made more meaningful saves than his French counterpart this evening.
France 0-1 Croatia
84. A brilliant curling cross into the box from Coman is dealt with just as well by the head of Sutalo.
Benzema’s input tonight has been minimal. What happened to that guy who was sensational for Real Madrid in the Champions League?
France 0-1 Croatia
82. Inside the final ten minutes now, and are the French running out of ideas.
There’s plenty of le puff and le huff, but little in the way of creative threat.
France 0-1 Croatia
80. Didier Deschamps throws caution to the wind – as much as Didier Deschamps can throw caution to the wind.
He takes off his combative midfielder, Matteo Guendouzi, and sends on Antoine Griezmann, who receives a hero’s reception from the home fans.
France 0-1 Croatia
78. Mbappe. Shot. Wide.
Rinse and repeat.
France 0-1 Croatia
76. A French set-piece, delivered by Digne, causes momentary panic in the box before Ivusic leaps to claim the ball.
However, that’s not the end of the danger as far as Croatia are concerned – and that’s because a VAR check is in progress, supposedly for a handball in the area.
After a nervous 30 seconds or so, the word comes through to play on and the visitors breathe a sigh of relief.
France 0-1 Croatia – France substitution
74. Didier Deschamps’ responds with a switch of his own.
He introduces Kingsley Coman in place of Christopher Nkunku.
France 0-1 Croatia – Croatia substitutions
73. A double switch for the visitors.
Zlatko Dalic sends on both Andrej Kramaric and Nikola Vlasic for Ante Budimir and Josip Brekalo.
Kramaric bagged a goal against the French a week ago, can he make an impact again?
France 0-1 Croatia
72. Croatia substitute Majer almost doubles the visitors’ lead.
The midfielder – who plays his football in France with Rennes – took a delightful first touch to move the ball away from Kimpembe, and then unleashed a snapshot that Maignan did well to save.
France 0-1 Croatia
69. They may not have been awarded a spotkick, but the move in question was another indication that Digne is one of France’s most attacking threats.
In fact, Mbappe aside, the Villa man has been Les Bleus’ most dangerous attacking outlet this evening.
France 0-1 Croatia – Rabiot yellow card
67. Now was that a penalty?!
Digne gets into the box and towards the byline ahead of Erlic, but then flings himself to the ground at the merest contact from the defender.
To make matters worse for the French, not only does referee Grinfeeld say no, he also books Rabiot for his protests.
France 0-1 Croatia
66. Mbappe is ready to reenter the fray.
He’s moving somewhat delicately, but there doesn’t appear to be any lasting damage.
France 0-1 Croatia
65. Ouch! Mbappe has gone down and looks in real discomfort.
The French star was certainly caught by Juranovic on the foot, but contact looked innocuous.
Having looked as though he was ready to run it off, Mbappe has now gone down again and requires treatment.
France 0-1 Croatia – Pavard yellow card
63. Substitute Pavard has had an 18 minutes to forget so far.
Having nearly gifted Croatia a second, the right-back has now gone into the book for a clumsy foul on Brekalo.
France 0-1 Croatia
61. Mbappe! Denied again by Ivusic again!
Nkunku ouched a lovely pass in behind the Croatian defence for the PSG forward, who attempted to slide a measured effort beyond the onrushing goalkeeper without success.
France 0-1 Croatia
59. Now the French are turning up the heat, and the home fans are responding in kind.
Ivusic scampers across his goal to turn a speculative Mbappe shot away, and that encourages the France supporters even more.
France 0-1 Croatia
57. A poor defensive header from Pavard presents Juranovic to race into the box.
The Celtic man looks up and feeds Pasalic in the centre, who looks certain to score until Tchouameni dives in out of nowhere with a goal-saving tackle of the highest order.
France 0-1 Croatia
55. Mbappe goes for the spectacular and nearly digs the French out of a hole!
The PSG’s forward’s first time thumper from 30 yards flies just wide of Ivusic’s right-hand post.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
