Modric consumes the failure of the France of Mbappé and Benzema

complete failure of France on the Nations League. The current world champion, as ineffective as bottom, was left this Monday mathematically out of the Final Fourin the absence of two days to conclude Group 1 of League A, after falling in Paris ante Croatia (0-1), who avenged his defeat against the Gauls in the final of the last World Cup that the ‘bleu’ team beat the Croats in Russia 2018 (4-2). An early penalty goal from the madridista Luka Modric keeps the French last, with only two points in their locker, and definitively relaunches those from Zlatko Dalic. The first place will be played Croatia y Denmarkwho did his homework winning Austria (2-0), in their direct duel on September 22 in Zagreb.

As soon as the game started, Liverpool’s French central defender Ibrahima Konate committed an absurd penalty on the Osasuna striker Ante Budimir, the one who stepped inside the area with the latter with his back to the goal. After checking the play with the WASthe Israeli collegiate Orel Grinfeeld pointed to the fateful point. the madridista Luka Modricwho returned to the starting lineup, was responsible for scoring the 0-1 with a shot that almost stopped the goal Maignanwho defended the Gallic gate to the detriment of Lloriswhom Didier Deschamps left yesterday in the substitution.

Francewith a Benzema who hardly intervened in the game in the first part, was entrusted to the speed of Mbappe to try to outflank the confident Croatian defense. The crash of PSG was able to equalize in the 7th minute, but his shot was decisively saved by Ivusic in the only shot between the sticks of the French in the first half.

The Croats, who came out cheekily, claimed a second penalty after a quarter of an hour of play after knocking down Maignan a Budimir. The ‘bleu’ goalkeeper, excessively nervous, touched the ball first but ended up running over the osasunista in his desperate exit. On this occasion, the referee and the WAS They decreed that there was no maximum penalty.

those of Deschampsaware that they were out of the Final Four, They kept looking for a tie until the break, although without putting the Balkans in too much trouble, all order and discipline.

Nkunkustriker of RB Leipzig which he closely follows Real Madrid, tried it with a shot that came out near the Croatian goal. With a minimal Croatian advantage on the scoreboard, the break was reached in St Deniswhere the mood of the French public was declining with the passing of the minutes.

The second half began with a double change in France. Deschamps gave entrance to Pavard Already Thouaméni, the brand new signing of Real Madrid that gave more muscle to the ‘bleu’ midfield. With Benzema showing no signs of life Mbappe tried to lay down France behind him and tried again with a shot very close to the post.

Croatia, however, remained very well organized against a rival who intensified their dominance as the end of the match approached, but lacked ideas in midfield and clarity in the final meters. And the Gauls were lucky not to concede the 0-2 at 72′ in an isolated shot from Majer who saved Maignanthe most outstanding at the offensive level of the men of Zlatko Dalic in the second part. With a stop of Ivusevic in minute 94 the game ended in which the fiasco of France in the year of Qatar World Cup. Deschamps and yours will have time to reflect and correct mistakes during the holidays.

France: Maignan; Koundé (Pavard, 46′), Contested, White, Worthy; Guendouzi (Griezmann, 80′), Kamara (Tchouaméni, 46′), Rabiot; Nkunku (Coman, 72′), Benzema and Mbappe.

Croatia: Ivusic; Stanisic, Erlic, Sutalo, Juranovic; Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic (Sucic, 91′); Pasalic (Majer, 65′), Brekalo (Vlasic, 72′) y Budimir (Kramaric, 72′).

Gol: 0-1, Modric, from a penalty (5′)

Referee: Orel Grinfeeld (Israel). He booked Guendouzi (18′), Pavard (62′) and Rabiot (67′) for France and Brozovic (50′) for the Croatian side.

Incidences: Match of the fourth day of Group 1 of the Nations League played at the Stade de France in Paris, with a full house of 78,000 spectators.

see game file