FRANCE COMPLETES EPIC COMEBACK, EDGES CROATIA 2-0 & WINS 5-4 ON PENALTIES TO STORM INTO NATIONS LEAGUE SEMIFINALS!
Saint-Denis, March 23, 2025 – France roared back from a two-goal first-leg deficit with a stunning 2-0 victory over Croatia at the Stade de France, forcing extra time before sealing a dramatic 5-4 triumph in a nerve-shredding penalty shootout! Les Bleus now march into the UEFA Nations League semifinals, where they’ll clash with either Spain or the Netherlands in June.
After falling 2-0 in Split just three days ago, Didier Deschamps’ men delivered a masterclass in resilience and attacking brilliance. The Stade de France erupted in the 52nd minute when Michael Olise curled home a breathtaking free kick, igniting France’s fightback. With time slipping away, Ousmane Dembélé unleashed a rocket from the edge of the box in the 80th minute, leveling the aggregate at 2-2 and sending the home crowd into a frenzy!
The drama wasn’t over. Luka Modrić nearly snatched victory for Croatia late on, but his shot drifted agonizingly wide. That meant one thing—penalties.
With tension at a boiling point, Mike Maignan emerged as the hero, diving to deny Andrej Kramarić’s spot-kick. Mbappé, Olise, Dembélé, Tchouaméni, and Theo Hernández all buried their penalties with ice-cold precision, securing a 5-4 shootout win and sending France into celebration mode!
“We showed our true selves tonight,” beamed Deschamps. “The spirit, the quality—it was all there. And Mike [Maignan] was sensational.”
Though Croatia fought with heart and discipline, Les Bleus’ relentless intensity and clinical finishing proved the difference.
🔥 FINAL SCORE: France 2-0 Croatia (2-2 aggregate, France wins 5-4 on penalties)
⚽ Scorers: France – Olise (52’), Dembélé (80’)
🏟 Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
⏭ Next Up: France vs. Spain/Netherlands, UEFA Nations League semifinals, June 4-5, 2025!
