France triumphs over Croatia in penalty shootout to reach Nations league final Four

France advanced to the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League after a thrilling 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Croatia, with goalkeeper Mike Maignan playing a starring role.

The match, which followed a 2-0 loss in the first leg in Croatia, saw France fight back in dramatic fashion.

Michael Olise’s stunning free-kick early in the second half and Ousmane Dembele’s equalizer 10 minutes before full-time forced the game into extra time.

With both teams missing penalties during the shootout, Maignan emerged as the hero.

He saved efforts from Croatia’s Martin Baturina and Franjo Ivanovic, while Dayot Upamecano calmly converted the winning spot-kick after Maignan stopped Josip Stanisic’s attempt in sudden death.

As expected, France dominated early on, seeking to erase their deficit. Kylian Mbappe was close to opening the scoring, but his shot went wide.

Croatia’s goalkeeper, Dominik Livakovic, was called into action in the 38th minute, denying Bradley Barcola with a close-range save following an incisive pass from Olise.

The French side halved their aggregate deficit in the 52nd minute with a brilliant free-kick from Olise, who bent the ball past Livakovic after Duje Caleta-Car fouled Mbappe just outside the box.

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Mbappe squandered another chance soon after when he fired wide of the post from a promising position.

With the game drawing to a close, Olise once again set up Dembele for the equalizer in the 80th minute, sending the match into extra-time.

Livakovic continued to shine in the additional period, denying both substitute Desire Doue and Mbappe, who missed a one-on-one opportunity.

The penalty shootout followed, with both teams enduring nervous moments.

Maignan’s crucial saves set the stage for Upamecano to score the decisive penalty, securing a place for France in the Nations League semi-finals.

There, they will face reigning champions and Euro 2024 winners, Spain.