Mbappe’s Comeback Turns to Nightmare as France Stunned by Croatia
Football fans had high hopes for Kylian Mbappe’s much-anticipated return to the French national team, but instead of a glorious comeback, they were served a stunning Nations League disaster. France crumbled 2-0 against Croatia in the quarter-final first leg, leaving Les Bleus in a fight for survival ahead of the return leg at Stade de France. The shock defeat not only dented France’s title ambitions but also reignited concerns about their form and mentality on the big stage.
Croatia Punishes Sloppy France
The nightmare began in the 26th minute, when Ante Budimir’s header—initially saved by Mike Maignan—somehow defied physics, bouncing off the French goalkeeper and spinning agonizingly into the net. The home crowd erupted, sensing an upset in the making, while Les Bleus looked stunned, struggling to find any sort of rhythm.
Just when France thought they could regroup, Ivan Perisic unleashed a clinical strike, driving the ball into the bottom corner just before halftime. It was a dagger to the heart of a French side that looked disorganized, sluggish, and shockingly toothless in attack. The halftime whistle couldn’t come soon enough, as Deschamps’ men were in desperate need of inspiration.
Missed Chances and Mbappe’s Frustration
To make matters worse for France, Croatia could have been ahead even earlier. Andrej Kramaric squandered a golden opportunity, missing an 8th-minute penalty as Maignan pulled off a miraculous save with his feet. Josko Gvardiol also came close with a long-range rocket, only for Maignan to keep France barely afloat.
Meanwhile, Mbappe, returning after a six-month absence, looked eager to make an impact. But despite six attempts on goal, the Real Madrid star couldn’t break through, leaving fans wondering: Has Mbappe lost his magic in the blue shirt? His movements were sharp, his intent clear, but the final product was missing—whether due to bad luck, solid Croatian defending, or a lack of cohesion with his teammates.
France’s attack as a whole seemed disjointed, with Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele struggling to link up effectively. The midfield, usually a stronghold for Les Bleus, lacked urgency, allowing Croatia to dictate large portions of the game. Even Deschamps’ second-half substitutions failed to inject the necessary spark into the team.
Post-Match Reactions
In the aftermath, Didier Deschamps didn’t shy away from criticism. “We lacked precision and aggression in key moments,” the France coach admitted. “We’ll have to respond in Paris with intensity and discipline if we want to turn this around.”
Meanwhile, Croatia’s Zlatko Dalic praised his team’s execution. “We knew France would come at us, but we remained compact and capitalized on our chances. The job isn’t done yet, though.”
French captain Mbappe kept his comments brief: “It’s not over. We’ll fight.” His determination was evident, but the real question remains—can he and Les Bleus back it up on the pitch?
A Must-Win Showdown in Paris
Now, history is against France. Les Bleus haven’t won a Nations League match after conceding first since beating Spain in October 2021. The pressure is on Didier Deschamps and his squad to stage a dramatic turnaround in front of a passionate Stade de France crowd this Sunday.
A comeback is possible, but it won’t be easy. Croatia, known for their resilience, will arrive in Paris with confidence, knowing that one goal could seal France’s fate. Defensive lapses must be corrected, and the attacking unit must rediscover its sharpness if Les Bleus hope to turn the tie around. The weight of expectations will be immense, but history has shown that France thrives under pressure—can they do it again?
The question remains: Can France rise from the ashes, or is this the beginning of a Nations League collapse? One thing is for sure—football fans won’t want to miss what comes next. The stage is set for an electrifying second leg, with everything on the line.
