World champions France extended their winelss run to four matches in the UEFA Nations League after losing 1-0 to Croatia on Monday night.
UEFA Nations League
Result: France 0-1 Croatia
Date: 13 June 2022
Venue: Stade de France
Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema started up front for the world champions, while Matteo Guendouzi and Christopher Nkunku were also given starts after impressing off the bench against Austria.
However, Didier Deschamps' men got off to another slow start as Croatia were awarded a penalty after just three minutes for Ibrahima Konate's foul on Ante Budimir, which allowed Luka Modric to convert.
France have struggled in this year's Nations League, which has seen them fail to win their opening three games while scoring just three goals.
The scoring woes continued in the first half as the defending Nations League winners have now failed to register a goal in the first half of any of their games so far.
Deschamps responded with a double change at the start of the second half as new Real Madrid signing Aurélien Tchouaméni and Benjamin Pavard replaced Boubacar Kamara and Jules Kounde.
The second half did not fare any better for the home side who struggled to carve out any openings for Benzema and Mbappe, while Croatia were happy to hold on to what they had.
Whenever Mbappe or Benzema did get a sight at goal in and around the area, there was always a Croatian jersey to thwart the effort as the frustrations began to grow with the clock winding down.
Try as they may, the French were unable to find a way past a stubborn Croatia as Benzema was denied by goalkeeper Ivica Ivušic, as the visitors held on to claim victory and move up to second spot in the group.
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