Croatia and France Clash in 2025 UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal Showdown

SPLIT, Croatia — Croatia faces France in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals on March 20, 2025, at the Stadion Poljud in Split. This high-stakes match will determine which team secures a spot in the Final Four, joining the winner of the Netherlands vs. Spain match.

The Croatian team, guided by veteran Luka Modric, finished second in Group A1 behind Portugal, while France topped their group ahead of Italy. This matchup carries emotional weight for both sides, as France previously triumphed over Croatia in the 2018 World Cup final.

Historically, the rivalry favors France, who has won six of their ten official encounters, with Croatia taking just one victory and three matches ending in draws.

The match kicks off at 8:45 PM local time, and will be available for live streaming on UEFA TV. Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has included Ante Budimir in the squad to bolster their offensive front alongside Modric. Meanwhile, France will see the return of superstar Kylian Mbappé, who has been absent from international duty since September 2024.

Mbappé, who was hailed for his impressive performances with Paris Saint-Germain, expressed excitement about rejoining the national team. “It’s great to be back with the group. I’ve been in touch with many of my teammates, and I’m looking forward to this important match,” he said during a recent press conference.

In addition to Mbappé’s return, France has also called up young talent Désiré Doué from PSG, marking his first call to the national team. Doué’s contributions on the field have earned him a place among France’s best.

Croatia’s squad includes promising young forward Franjo Ivanovic, who has made a notable impact in the Belgian Pro League, drawing Dalic’s attention ahead of this crucial match. Ivanovic tallied 16 goals and six assists throughout the season, demonstrating his scoring capability.

As both teams prepare for what promises to be an intense battle, Croatia must leverage their home advantage and the leadership of Modric to secure a favorable result before heading to France for the second leg. Fans are eager to see if Croatia can overturn their historical disadvantage in this pivotal clash.