BEVERLY HILLS, October 14, (THEWILL) – In what was a thrilling end-to-end encounter in the Nations League A Group 3 fixture, France edged out Croatia 2-1 thanks to the late effort of Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe.
Buoyed on by a raucous, albeit limited, home crowd in their capital city Zagreb, Croatia looked like a team determined to get something from this match from the onset.
But the initiative went France’s way. Griezmann, who drew France level in Les Bleus 4-2 triumph over Croatia in September, did not take long to open the scoring this time out as he arrowed a brilliant finish in off the woodwork in the 8th minute.
France should have been two goals up just seven minutes later but Mbappe sliced wide with only the keeper to beat and the goal at his mercy. In the 19th minute French appeals for a penalty after Manchester United forward Anthony Martial went to the turf following a tussle with Domagoj Vida fell on deaf ears as the referee waved for play to continue.
Croatia’s Mario Pasalic looked set to restore parity when he pounced on a loose ball six yards out, only for French Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris to make an outstanding save with his feet to deny the Atalanta central midfielder.
Nikola Vlasic, who drilled wide from the edge of the area eight minutes into the second half, made better use of the next opportunity he got. The Croatian playmaker prodded a fantastic finish across Lloris and into the left-hand corner of the goal.
Substitute Paul Pogba, on for Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot, made an instant impact, and would have restored France’s lead if not for the sharp reflexes of Dinamo Zagreb’s Dominik Livakovic in goal for Croatia.
However, the Manchester United man was to prove decisive in the end. It was his raking pass that found Lucas Digne, who volleyed in a cross for Mbappe to slide home and keep France level pegging with Group A3 leaders Portugal.
Croatia, meanwhile, remain third on three points.
France next play Finland in a friendly on November 11, while Croatia are due to play Turkey a day earlier.
About the Author
