Real Madrid's star man failed to show up in Split as Les Bleus' centre-backs struggled to deal with the hosts' attacking threat
France face an uphill task to reach the Nations League semi-finals after a convincing 2-0 quarter-final first-leg loss to Croatia on Thursday.
The hosts should have taken the lead in the eighth minute, only for goalkeeper Mike Maignan to save Andrej Kramaric's tame penalty. Despite that setback, Croatia deservedly went in front 18 minutes later when Ante Budimir's header squirmed past Maignan from Ivan Perisic's inviting cross.
The lacklustre visitors struggled to fashion meaningful chances, and on the stroke of half-time it was 2-0 when Perisic lashed in an arrowed drive into the corner from 15 yards.
France showed signs of life early in the second half when Ousmane Dembele flashed a shot into the side netting, before stinging the hands of Dominik Livakovic soon after. Substitute Bradley Barcola also had a gilt-edged chance to pull a goal back, but he couldn't connect with Matteo Guendouzi's enticing delivery across the six-yard box.
Kylian Mbappe showed flashes of his quality, but they were too few and far between in front of a raucous home crowd in Split, and Didier Deschamps' side will need to be a lot better for the second leg of this quarter-final tie on Sunday.
GOAL rates France's players from Stadion Poljud…
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Mike Maignan (7/10):
Saved his side once with a good penalty stop, but couldn't get France out of jail for Croatia's goals.
Jules Kounde (4/10):
Allowed 36-year-old Perisic too much time and space to fire in a cross that led to Croatia's opener. Was beaten on a number of occasions down the right and struggled aerially, too.
Ibrahima Konate (4/10):
Gave away a clumsy penalty and didn't look comfortable at the back. Was hooked at half-time after picking up a knock.
William Saliba (4/10):
The Arsenal centre-back didn't track Budimir's run closely enough for his goal. Not a convincing night.
Lucas Digne (5/10):
Did not offer a great deal in defence or attack early doors, but like much of his team-mates, looked more competent as Croatia were put under the cosh in the second period.
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Matteo Guendouzi (5/10):
He was a passenger in the first half, but played some nice through balls as the game wore on. He and his fellow midfielders were outclassed by Modric.
Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):
Was part of a midfield that was very much second-best in the opening 45 minutes, but got stuck in all the same.
Adrien Rabiot (4/10):
The game passed the experienced midfielder by and he could have no complaints when he was withdrawn.
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Ousmane Dembele (6/10):
For someone in the form of his life, you would not know it by his first-half outing. Improved in the second and looked the most likely to score later on.
Randal Kolo Muani (5/10):
While he did not get much service at all, the Juventus loanee was anonymous at times.
Kylian Mbappe (5/10):
The Real Madrid star, who is firing for the Spanish giants, struggled to make an impact for long periods
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Dayot Upamecano (6/10):
Added a bit more solidity at the back when introduced after the break, but still picked up a card for his troubles.
Bradley Barcola (5/10):
Missed a huge chance shortly after coming on.
Eduardo Camavinga (6/10):
Improved France's midfield following his introduction.
Michael Olise (6/10):
Looked spritely off the bench.
Manu Kone (N/A):
Didn't have enough time to make an impact.
Didier Deschamps (5/10):
His team looked like a bunch of strangers for much of the first half and they didn't seem to have much of a strategy. They improved in the second half, but that was massively down to Croatia sitting back more. A tough night.
