France won 2-0 on the night with goals in normal time by Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele against Croatia at the Stade de France to wipe out the deficit from Thursday’s first leg.
The Les Bleus had a total of 28 chances while Croatia could not manage a single shot on target
The Les Bleus had a total of 28 chances while Croatia could not manage a single shot on target in 120 minutes. Livakovic was up to the task of neutralising the French attackers who have looked lethal all season at their respective clubs.
Livakovic and Mike Maignan were outstanding at their execution as they took the penalties till the death.
It was a tense affair at a simmering Stade de France and Les Bleus were a side transformed after their catastrophic outing in the first leg. Pressing high and playing with confidence, they pressured the ‘Vatreni’ from the start and finally converted some of their chances in the second half with their attacking players combining well throughout.
Olise scored in the 52nd minute from a beautiful freekick
Olise scored in the 52nd minute from a beautiful freekick which left Livakovic high and dry. This goal enthralled the crowd and the equaliser looked inevitable after Olise’s worldie.
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Many chances were created but could not be taken up by the French team as Livakovic stood strong on the Croatian goal. Olise was a menace throughout the game through the right hand side and was repeatedly placing runs into the space. In the 80th minute, Mbappe passed him into the area and Olise gave a reverse pass which was met by Ousmane Dembele beautifully placing it into the corner.
Ousmane Dembele beautifully placing it into the corner
The goal gave Les Bleus hope of finishing the game in regulation time but Croatia’s resolute did not let them go through the defence. Vatreni at this point were happy to sit deep and concede possession.
The extra time was the same story as it was one-way traffic from The Les Bleus. Livakovic produced a double save from Desire Doue who would have thought he had won The Les Bleus, the match with scintillating shots from the edge of the box.
Maignan, a penalty specialist, saved efforts from Martin Baturina and Josip Stanisic
In the shootout, Maignan, a penalty specialist, saved efforts from Martin Baturina and Josip Stanisic with Franjo Ivanovic skying his attempt over the bar. Theo Hernandez and Jules Kounde missed the target for France but Kylian Mbappe, Aurelien Tchouameni, Randal Kolo Muani, Desire Doue and Upamecano converted.
Maignan was the hero of the Penalties and took France into the Semi-Finals of the tournament.
Les Bleus into the Semi-Finals of the tournament
Les Bleus, which won the Nations League in 2021, will now take on title holder Spain in the semifinal in Germany on June 5, with the winner going through to the final three days later.
Croatia will enter qualifying Group L with the Czech Republic, Montenegro, the Faroe Islands and Gibraltar.
France’s progress to the final stages of the Nations League means it will not begin its World Cup qualifying campaign until September, when it will be in Group D with Ukraine, Iceland and Azerbaijan.
