Nations League: Defending champions France fail to qualify for remaining 4 after Luka Modric aim

France have now misplaced two and drawn as many within the competitors. They are on the backside of Group 1 with two factors, 5 lower than Croatia who prevailed because of Luka Modric’s early penalty.

Luka Modric (left) with Karim Benzema through the match. (Courtesy: AP)

HIGHLIGHTSLuka Modric’s penalty gave Croatia an early leadFrance have now misplaced 2 video games and drawn as manyFrance are on the backside of Group 1 with 2 factors

Defending champions France did not qualify for the ultimate 4 of the Nations League after happening 0-1 in opposition to Croatia on Monday.

France, the reigning world champions, have now misplaced two and drawn as many within the competitors. They are on the backside of Group 1 with two factors, 5 lower than Croatia who prevailed because of Luka Modric’s early penalty. France are in peril of being relegated, with simply two group video games left.

France coach Didier Deschamps as soon as once more reshuffled the staff so as to relaxation gamers on the finish of the season. In 4 matches this month, the facet did not subject their absolute best lineup.

Croatia took an early lead after 5 minutes when Modric transformed a penalty after Ibrahima Konate fouled Ante Budimir. It marked Modric’s twenty second aim in 152 video games for Croatia. Kylian Mbappe acquired two alternatives nevertheless it was Croatia who continued to dominate.

“It was a difficult month of June in terms of results. We did not have the energy and the strength against teams who had more than us,” Deschamps was quoted as saying.

“We lost a bit of self-confidence along the way but it’s mostly freshness that we lacked. When you play so many games it is very very hard.”