France draw 1-1 with Croatia in their second Nations League game

Andrej Kramaric scored a late penalty to deny France their first three points of the Nations League on Monday as Croatia held the world champions and the defending champions of the Nations League to a 1-1 draw.

Croatia lost their first UEFA Nations League game at home to Austria in a 3-0 bashing in Ralf Rangnick’s first game in charge of the Austrians.

France also failed to get a victory when they faced Denmark in Paris. It was an embarrassing 2-1 loss to the Danes 3 days ago.

After a slow start to the game, France were handed a scare when RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku seemed to have sustained a serious injury early in the game, but he was able to shrug it off to continue, and he troubled the Croatian defence for most of the first half.

Both teams went into the break level with a 0-0 scoreline, but France got their first goal of the game seven minutes into the second half.

Juventus midfielder Andrea Rabiot was able to finish off a tee-up from Monaco’s Wissam Ben Yedder.

Andrej Kramaric shared the spoils when he converted a penalty he won with seven minutes left to play.

The world champions France are still winless after two opening games in the nation’s League and will hope that a trip to Austria, who they play next, would hit the first victory for them.

Croatia, on the other hand, will play Denmark in their next game of the UEFA Nations League.

Meanwhile, Denmark picked Austria a 2-1 victory to sit at the top of the table. Pierre Emile Hojbjert scored the opening goal of the game in the 28th minute of the first half before Austria equalised in the 67th minute of the second half.

The winning goal came with six minutes left to play as Denmark emerged winners and topped the table with six points, Austria second with three, France and Croatia in second and fourth with a point each.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu