Zagreb (AFP)

France tamed with difficulty Luka Modric and his 6,300 Croatian supporters on Wednesday in Zagreb (2-1) on a late goal from Kylian Mbappé, which allows the Blues to stay up to Portugal, co-leader of group 3 of the League of Nations .

Didier Deschamps regretted a lack of "sparks" on Sunday against the Portuguese (0-0), he may find comfort in the success of his players on the eve of blowing out his 52 candles.

The birthday gift was delivered to him a day in advance by his two world champions, already scorers against the same Croats in the final of the 2018 World Cup.

However, the victory of the France team was drawn in pain in the funny Maksimir stadium, the usual playground of Dinamo Zagreb whose initial capacity (35,000 seats) has been reduced since an earthquake in March. .

The Blues thought they would make the match easy after Griezmann's 33rd goal in the selection, scored after only eight minutes of play, but Vatreni did not give up.

Between the French world champions and their victims in the 2018 World Cup final, already beaten in the first leg last month in Saint-Denis (4-2), the gap was this time narrower.

Experience, thanks to a hint of additional efficiency, the Blues have nevertheless managed to extend their invincibility against the selection at the red and white checkered pattern.

At kick-off, Deschamps had chosen to launch Anthony Martial, rather than Olivier Giroud, associating Manchester United center-forward with Griezmann, for whom it was the 40th consecutive selection, and Mbappé, engaged in two days with the Paris SG in the league.

With N'Golo Kanté in the stand and Paul Pogba on the bench, the midfield had an unusual pace around Rennais Steven Nzonzi, associated with Adrien Rabiot and Corentin Tolisso.

In defense, Ferland Mendy was expatriated on the right to leave the left side to Lucas Digne, around the classic hinge by Raphaël Varane and Clément Lenglet.

If Mbappé lit the first wicks, the light came from an overflow of the left-hander Mendy who picked up speed his vis-à-vis to center with the right foot.

His attempt, rejected by the defense, was exploited perfectly by Griezmann whose heavy strike shook the crossbar before finding the net.

- Lloris is in charge -

In difficulty at Barça, not at his level against Portugal, the N.7 of the Blues celebrated his new offensive efficiency with a little dance, before receiving a strong kiss from Lenglet, his teammate in Catalonia.

Even if he is going through "a period a little more complicated on the offensive level, (...) we know that he has this ability to respond to this France team, let's be patient", had urged Lloris the day before, in good captain.

The prediction of the Tottenham goalkeeper was verified, but that did not prevent the Blues from suffering under the blows of the Croats, determined to finally make their bête noire bite the dust.

The selection at the red and white checkered pattern did not give up until the equalizer of Nikola Vlasic (65th) and it even believed to repeat the performance at the very end of the match, but Lloris won on strikes (86th , 90th) before the last two aerial sorties in added time.

The Blues also had several clear chances: Mbappé missed the target (15th), before the referee watched Martial collapse in the surface on a stroller from Vida (19th), without putting his whistle in his mouth.

In the second half, the incoming Pogba almost put the Blues in the direction of travel, but his shot was rejected by Dominik Livakovic (77th).

Fortunately for them, Mbappé got them out of the rut (79th) on a superb cross from Digne in half-volley, after a long service from Pogba.

After this happy result, the Blues will be able to come and play an enticing group final on November 14 in Lisbon against Portugal, winner 3-0 over Sweden on Wednesday.

© 2020 AFP