IVAN Perišić-inspired Croatia overcame Kylian Mbappe’s France to win 2-0 at a heaving Poljud Stadium on Friday morning (AEDT).
Osasuna’s Ante Budimir nodded home Perišić’s cross, before the latter iced the result with a sublime volley.
The win leaves Croatia well placed to advance to the UEFA Nations League finals in June, ahead of Monday morning’s (6:45am) return leg at State de France in Paris.
PERIŠIĆ TURNS BACK TIME
Perišić, 36, turned back the clock and helped win back the support of Split fans, many of whom criticised his decision to leave Hajduk Split at the start of this season after returning in 2023/24 on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.
Having worked his way into PSV Eindhoven’s first XI, he celebrated his 141st Croatia cap with a sublime performance.
Perišić scored his 34th international goal, latching onto a bouncing ball after Martin Baturina’s shot was blocked, with a perfectly hit first-time strike.
Superstars Luke Modrić and Joško Gvardiol were outstanding for Croatia, as was keeper Dominik Livaković, who consistently thwarted French forays.
KRAMARIĆ’S BLUSHES SPARED
Earlier, the 30,000-plus Poljud crowd was on edge, after Andrej Kramarić’s penalty was saved by AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan’s trailing leg, as the Hoffenheim striker tried to go down the middle.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić also handed a debut to Austria-born Franjo Ivanović (Union St-Gilloise), who came on for Budimir.
MBAPPE FRUSTRATED
It was a frustrating return for Modrić’s Real Madrid teammate Mbappe, who pre-game acknowledged ex-teammates Danijel Subašić and Mario Pašalić’s positive impact on him.
Mbappe was returning after a six-month absence, and conceded he understood why France fans were unhappy with him.
Les Bleus came home strong, but on the occasions they penetrated Croatia’s back four, Livaković stood tall.
CROATIA: Livaković, Stanišić, Šutalo, Ćaleta-Car, Gvardiol, Kovačić, Modrić, Perišić (Vlašić 70’), Baturina (Pašalić 60’), Kramarić (P Sučić 85’), Budimir (Ivanović 60’).