Croatia's Stunning Nations League Upset!
Okay, honestly, who saw THAT coming? Croatia, the underdogs, absolutely destroyed France 2-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final. Two-nil! Against the reigning World Cup champions! It leaves France with a seriously uphill battle in the return leg. They've got a mountain to climb, that's for sure.
Perisic's Performance: A Masterclass
Ivan Perisic was the star of the show. The guy was everywhere! He assisted Ante Budimir for the opening goal – a beauty, by the way – after Croatia missed a penalty earlier. You know how sometimes things just spiral? Well, that missed penalty didn't faze them; they just kept pushing. Then, Perisic sealed the deal with a stunning strike before halftime. It was all Croatia after that.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé, back from injury, looked frustrated. He had a few chances, but Croatia's goalkeeper, Dominik Livakovic, was on fire. He made some crucial saves that kept France at bay. And Luka Modric? The man's a legend. He controlled the midfield like he owns the place, showcasing the experience and leadership that makes him such a force.
Modric vs. Mbappé: Clubmates, Intense Rivals
It was fascinating to watch Modric and Mbappé go head-to-head. They're Real Madrid teammates, but on the international stage, all bets are off. There was even a bit of a heated exchange late in the game after Mbappé went down looking for a penalty. National pride runs deep, even among club colleagues. Modric's performance, by the way, only fuels the rumors of him extending his contract with Real Madrid – despite whispers of a possible move elsewhere.
France's Tough Road Ahead
France's manager, Didier Deschamps, admitted their first-half performance was far from their best. Ibrahima Konate had a rough first half and was subbed off, but thankfully, Deschamps later confirmed he’s injury-free. They face a huge challenge in the second leg at the Stade de France. Can they overturn a two-goal deficit? It's going to take a monumental effort.
The Return Leg: A Must-See
The second leg is going to be electric. France, playing at home, needs a dominant performance. But Croatia will be fighting tooth and nail to hold onto their advantage and secure a spot in the Nations League semi-finals. This one's definitely not to be missed!
