Introduction
The rivalry between France vs Croatia has been one of the most intriguing matchups in international football. Whether it’s the unforgettable 2018 FIFA World Cup final or their battles in the UEFA Nations League, these two teams have consistently delivered thrilling encounters. As we head into 2025, football fans are eager to see how these European powerhouses will fare against each other.
In this in-depth analysis, we will explore the France vs Croatia rivalry, compare their squads, examine tactical approaches, and make expert predictions about who has the edge in their next battle.
1. France vs Croatia: A Historic Rivalry
The France vs Croatia rivalry may not have a century-old history like some other European football rivalries, but it has been full of drama and significance.
Key Matches in the France vs Croatia Rivalry
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1998 FIFA World Cup Semi-Final: Croatia, in their first-ever World Cup appearance, stunned the world by reaching the semi-finals. Despite taking the lead through Davor Šuker, they were defeated 2-1 after two quick goals from French defender Lilian Thuram. France went on to win their first-ever World Cup.
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2018 FIFA World Cup Final: The most iconic France vs Croatia match, where France won 4-2 in an exciting final. Goals from Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappé, and Paul Pogba helped France lift their second World Cup title. Croatia, despite their heroic performances throughout the tournament, fell short.
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UEFA Nations League 2020-21 & 2022-23: France and Croatia were drawn into the same group in two consecutive UEFA Nations League campaigns. France dominated their encounters in 2020-21, winning both matches. However, Croatia finally secured their first win over France in 2022 with a 1-0 victory, marking a shift in momentum.
Heading into 2025, both teams are looking to strengthen their squads and solidify their position among the world’s elite.
2. Recent Performance & Current Form
A key factor in determining who has the edge in the next France vs Croatia matchup is their recent performances.
France’s Recent Form
France continues to be one of the strongest teams in international football. Since winning the 2018 World Cup, they have consistently performed at a high level in major tournaments:
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UEFA Euro 2020: France was eliminated in the Round of 16 in a shocking loss to Switzerland.
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2022 FIFA World Cup: France reached the final again but lost to Argentina in a dramatic penalty shootout.
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UEFA Nations League 2023: France struggled initially but managed to retain their top-tier status.
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2024 UEFA Euro Qualifiers: France dominated their group, showing strong performances under manager Didier Deschamps.
Croatia’s Recent Form
Croatia has built a reputation as one of the toughest teams to beat, consistently overachieving despite having a smaller talent pool compared to other European giants:
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2022 FIFA World Cup: Croatia finished in third place after defeating Morocco in the bronze medal match.
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UEFA Nations League 2023 Final: Croatia reached the final but lost to Spain on penalties, proving they can challenge Europe’s best.
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UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers: Croatia qualified comfortably, demonstrating their ability to compete at the highest level.
With both teams performing well, their upcoming clash in 2025 promises to be highly competitive.
3. France vs Croatia: Squad Comparison
France’s Squad Strengths
France has one of the deepest and most talented squads in world football. Some of their key players heading into 2025 include:
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Kylian Mbappé – The superstar forward remains France’s biggest weapon in attack. His speed, dribbling, and finishing ability make him a nightmare for defenders.
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Antoine Griezmann – A veteran playmaker who continues to play a crucial role in France’s attacking setup.
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Aurélien Tchouaméni & Eduardo Camavinga – The midfield duo expected to dominate in the coming years.
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William Saliba & Dayot Upamecano – Young and talented defenders providing stability at the back.
France’s biggest strength is their squad depth, allowing them to rotate players without losing quality.
Croatia’s Squad Strengths
Despite having a smaller player pool, Croatia has consistently produced world-class footballers. Some of their key players include:
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Luka Modrić – If he continues to play, Modrić remains Croatia’s leader in midfield.
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Josko Gvardiol – One of the best young defenders in the world, giving Croatia a strong defensive presence.
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Marcelo Brozović & Mateo Kovačić – Two experienced midfielders providing creativity and control.
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Andrej Kramarić & Ivan Perišić – Experienced forwards who can make an impact in big matches.
While Croatia lacks the same squad depth as France, their experience and resilience make them dangerous opponents.
4. Tactical Battle: France vs Croatia Playing Styles
France’s Tactical Approach
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Typically play a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on counter-attacking football.
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Depend on fast transitions, with Mbappé’s pace being a crucial weapon.
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Midfield control with a mix of physicality and creativity.
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Strong defensive setup with athletic and disciplined defenders.
Croatia’s Tactical Approach
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Usually play a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 formation, prioritizing midfield dominance.
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Build attacks through intricate passing and high pressing.
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Rely on their experienced midfield to control possession.
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Defend deep and frustrate attacking teams, looking for counter-attacking opportunities.
This tactical contrast makes France vs Croatia a fascinating battle between power and technique.
5. Expert Predictions: Who Has the Edge in 2025?
While Croatia has proven they can compete with top teams, France still holds the edge in terms of squad depth, attacking firepower, and defensive stability.
Why France Has the Edge:
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A younger and more explosive attacking lineup.
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Greater squad depth allows for tactical flexibility.
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Stronger defensive options.
Why Croatia Can Pull Off an Upset:
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Midfield superiority with experienced players.
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Tactical discipline and ability to frustrate bigger teams.
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Strong mental resilience in high-pressure matches.
Predicted Score:
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France 2-1 Croatia – A closely contested match, but France’s attacking firepower is likely to be the difference.
6. Where to Watch France vs Croatia in the USA
For fans in the United States, watching France vs Croatia live is easy with multiple streaming and broadcasting options:
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TV Channels: ESPN, FOX Sports, CBS Sports
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Streaming Services: FuboTV, ESPN+, Paramount+
Check your local listings for updated match times.
7. Conclusion
The France vs Croatia matchup remains one of the most exciting battles in international football. While France holds a slight edge heading into 2025, Croatia’s experience and tactical discipline make them a formidable opponent. Whether you’re a fan of attacking football or tactical battles, this clash promises to deliver another thrilling chapter in their rivalry Read more
FAQs
1. When is the next France vs Croatia match scheduled?
The next France vs Croatia match is highly anticipated by football fans worldwide. While official dates may vary depending on tournament schedules, France and Croatia often meet in international competitions like the UEFA Nations League, FIFA World Cup qualifiers, or UEFA European Championship.
For U.S. viewers, keeping track of these matches is easy through major sports broadcasters like ESPN, FOX Sports, and CBS Sports, along with streaming services such as FuboTV, ESPN+, and Paramount+. Stay tuned to the official FIFA and UEFA websites for the latest schedule updates on France vs Croatia.
2. What is the head-to-head record between France vs Croatia?
The France vs Croatia rivalry has seen some iconic clashes, with France historically holding the upper hand. Their most famous encounter was the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final, where France defeated Croatia 4-2 to lift their second World Cup trophy.
Since then, they have met several times in the UEFA Nations League, with France initially dominating the matchups before Croatia secured their first-ever victory against France in 2022. Overall, France has won most of their encounters, but Croatia has proven to be a tough and resilient opponent.
3. Where can I watch France vs Croatia live in the United States?
For U.S. fans eager to watch France vs Croatia, several networks and streaming services provide live coverage:
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Television Broadcast: ESPN, FOX Sports, and CBS Sports
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Streaming Services: FuboTV, ESPN+, Paramount+, and Sling TV
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Official Apps: FIFA+, UEFA.tv, and national sports apps
The match time and date may vary based on the competition, so checking local listings and official sports platforms will ensure you don’t miss the action.
4. What are the key players to watch in France vs Croatia?
Both France and Croatia boast world-class talent, making France vs Croatia an exciting fixture.
For France, key players include:
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Kylian Mbappé – A dynamic forward known for his speed, dribbling, and finishing.
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Antoine Griezmann – A playmaker who provides creativity and leadership.
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Aurélien Tchouaméni – A rising midfield star with excellent defensive skills.
For Croatia, key players include:
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Luka Modrić – A midfield maestro who controls the pace of the game.
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Josko Gvardiol – A young and talented defender known for his composure.
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Mateo Kovačić – A box-to-box midfielder with excellent passing ability.
Each match between France vs Croatia features exciting individual battles that can determine the outcome.
5. What are the most memorable matches between France vs Croatia?
Some of the most unforgettable encounters between France vs Croatia include:
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1998 FIFA World Cup Semi-Final: France defeated Croatia 2-1, with Lilian Thuram scoring twice to secure a spot in the final.
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2018 FIFA World Cup Final: The most famous France vs Croatia match, where France won 4-2, securing their second World Cup title.
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UEFA Nations League 2022: Croatia secured their first-ever win against France with a 1-0 victory, showing their growing strength.
These matches highlight the evolving rivalry and the competitive spirit between these two nations.
6. What are the tactics used by France vs Croatia in their matches?
Tactical battles play a crucial role in France vs Croatia encounters.
France’s tactics include:
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A 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on speed and counter-attacks.
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Strong midfield play with defensive solidity.
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Utilizing Kylian Mbappé’s pace to break through defenses.
Croatia’s tactics include:
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A 4-3-3 formation, prioritizing midfield dominance.
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High pressing and control of possession.
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Defensive discipline, relying on experienced players.
Each team’s tactical approach determines how the game unfolds, making France vs Croatia a fascinating battle.
7. How has Croatia improved against France in recent years?
Historically, France dominated France vs Croatia encounters, but Croatia has shown significant improvement in recent years.
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In the 2022 UEFA Nations League, Croatia secured their first-ever win against France, showing their tactical growth.
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Croatia’s younger generation, including Josko Gvardiol and Lovro Majer, has strengthened their squad depth.
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They reached the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finals, proving they can compete against top-tier teams.
While France still holds an advantage in talent depth, Croatia’s recent performances show they are closing the gap.
8. How do France and Croatia compare in FIFA World Cup history?
France vs Croatia has been one of the most exciting matchups in World Cup history.
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France: Two-time FIFA World Cup champions (1998, 2018) and runners-up in 2022.
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Croatia: FIFA World Cup runners-up in 2018 and third-place finishers in 1998 and 2022.
While France has a more successful World Cup record, Croatia’s consistency in reaching the latter stages of tournaments highlights their strength on the global stage.
9. What makes France vs Croatia a must-watch rivalry?
France vs Croatia is an exciting rivalry for several reasons:
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Unpredictability: Despite France’s historical dominance, Croatia has shown they can compete at the highest level.
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Tactical Masterclass: Both teams employ different styles, creating an engaging battle on the pitch.
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High-Stakes Encounters: From the 2018 World Cup Final to UEFA Nations League clashes, these teams often meet in crucial matches.
For U.S. fans, watching France vs Croatia means experiencing top-quality football with exciting drama.
10. What are the latest betting odds and predictions for France vs Croatia?
Betting on France vs Croatia is popular among football enthusiasts. Some key predictions and factors to consider:
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France is often the favorite, given their squad depth and attacking options.
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Croatia has a history of surprising stronger teams, making them a solid underdog pick.
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Key players like Kylian Mbappé and Luka Modrić significantly impact the odds.
For the latest betting odds, sportsbooks like BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings provide updated information before each match. However, always bet responsibly and check the latest expert analysis before making any wagers.
Final Thoughts
The France vs Croatia rivalry continues to captivate football fans worldwide, including those in the United States. Whether it’s a high-stakes tournament match or a competitive friendly, this fixture always delivers exciting moments.
By keeping up with match schedules, tactical analysis, and player form, fans can fully enjoy the intensity of France vs Croatia whenever they meet on the pitch
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