League of Nations: France and Croatia part in a draw
The joy of Adrien Rabiot (g) after his goal against Croatia in the League of Nations, June 6, 2022. AFP - FRANCK FIFE
Text by: Farid Achache Follow
3 mins
The Blues of Didier Deschamps drew against Croatia on Monday June 6 (1-1).
Adrien Rabiot found the fault in the second half, but the Croats equalized from the penalty spot late in the game.
The Blues will face Austria next Friday.
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A few days ago, the Blues lost to Denmark at the Stade de France, despite a sumptuous goal from Karim Benzema.
Tonight in Split, at the Poljud stadium, the Madrilenian, once again European champion, started on the bench against Croatia.
Just like Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappé.
Benzema will not have a third straight start in nine days, after his Champions League final on May 28.
And France will not return to victory.
Coach Didier Deschamps has largely overhauled his team, with ten changes from the starting "Eleven" last Friday and a return to the tactical scheme of the 2018 World Cup, in 4-4-2.
Nkunku and Ben Yedder led the attack, supported on the sides by Adrien Rabiot and Moussa Diaby.
As expected, Mike Maignan replaced Hugo Lloris in goal and Presnel Kimpembe wore the captain's armband.
The Parisian was associated with William Saliba in the axis, Benjamin Pavard occupying the right side and Lucas Digne, the left.
In the middle, Mattéo Guendouzi honored his first tenure alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni, the only survivor of France-Denmark.
Second goal in twenty-seven caps for Adrien Rabiot
Croatia, weakened by injuries, did not have "as many resources" as France, capable of fielding a high-performance "second team" in the event of a glitch, had pointed out coach Zlatko Dalic on the eve of the shock against the Blues .
Except that the Blues were scared when the Croats stepped on the accelerator, taking advantage of a very poor alignment of the French defense.
Budimir slipped into the left axis, before being tackled in extremis by Kimpembe (18th).
Four minutes earlier, Croatia had already shown themselves to be dangerous and Saliba had cut the ball past Maignan.
In the first period, France could not find the fault.
Half an hour into the game, on a counterattack, with a stung ball, Christopher Nkunku could have opened the scoring for the Blues if he had not been flagged offside.
Found by Nkunku, Moussa Diaby tried his luck but the ball was diverted by the Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic (38th).
In the 40th minute, Aurélien Tchouaméni took his chance from afar on a right-footed shot.
Dominik Livakovic boxed the ball to his right.
It will be necessary to wait for the return of the locker room to see the Blues open the scoring thanks to Adrien Rabiot who managed to deceive Livakovic with his left foot at the near post (52nd).
At the end of the match, the referee sanctioned a foul by Clauss on Kramaric using the VAR.
Kramaric stared at Mike Maignan and took the French goalkeeper on the wrong foot (83rd).
The Blues travel to Austria next Friday for the third day before hosting Croatia on June 13 at the Stade de France.
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