Hey there, football fans! If you’ve ever tuned into a match between the france national football team vs croatia national football team matches, you know it’s always a treat. These two sides don’t just play—they battle with heart, skill, and a dash of that unpredictable magic that makes soccer so addictive. Whether it’s a World Cup showdown or a tense Nations League clash, France vs Croatia matches have given us some of the most memorable moments in modern football history. From underdog triumphs to heartbreaking penalties, this rivalry has it all.
In this deep dive, we’ll stroll through their head-to-head story like old mates chatting over a pint. I’ll keep things straightforward—no jargon overload, just the good stuff: key matches, star players, and why these games matter. And because numbers make everything clearer (especially for us folks who love a tidy list), I’ve thrown in a handy table of their encounters. Whether you’re a die-hard Les Bleus supporter or cheering for the Checkered Ones, grab a seat. Let’s kick off!
A Quick Look at the Teams: Why france national football team vs croatia national football team matches Click on the Field
Before we hit the highlights, a bit about the squads. France, or Les Bleus, are the powerhouses of European football. With two World Cup wins (1998 and 2018) and Euro 2000 in the bag, they’ve got flair, depth, and stars like Kylian Mbappé who can turn a game on a dime. Managed by Didier Deschamps—a legend who captained that ’98 side—they play smart, counter-attacking football that’s tough to crack.
Croatia, on the other hand, is the ultimate overachiever. A small nation of just four million, they’ve punched way above their weight: third place in 1998, runner-up in 2018, and third again in 2022. Luka Modrić, their midfield maestro, is a Ballon d’Or winner, and they’ve got grit from players like Ivan Perišić. Under Zlatko Dalić, they thrive on organization, set pieces, and that never-say-die spirit. When these two meet, it’s brains vs brawn, stars vs underdogs—and fireworks every time.
Their rivalry isn’t ancient, but it’s intense. Since Croatia’s independence in 1991, they’ve clashed 12 times (as of late 2025). France edges it with six wins to Croatia’s three, plus three draws. Goals? A healthy 28 across those games, averaging over two per match. It’s the kind of stat that promises edge-of-your-seat action.
The Head-to-Head Table: All Matches at a Glance
To make it super easy, here’s a table summarizing every official senior men’s match between France and Croatia. I’ve included dates, competitions, scores, and a quick vibe check. (Sources: UEFA, FIFA, and Transfermarkt records.)
| Date | Competition | Home Team | Score | Key Scorers (France / Croatia) | Match Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 1998 | FIFA World Cup Semi-Final | France | 2-1 | Thuram (47′, 70′) / Šuker (46′) | Thuram’s brace stuns Croatia; Blanc sent off. France to final. |
| Jun 17, 2004 | UEFA Euro Group Stage | Croatia | 2-2 | Šmicer (23′), Marić (OG 42′) / Pletikosa (OG 44′), Henry (47′) | Dramatic equalizer for France; both advance. |
| Sep 6, 2016 | FIFA World Cup Qualifier | Croatia | 0-0 | None | Tense draw; Croatia tops group. |
| Mar 28, 2017 | FIFA World Cup Qualifier | France | 2-0 | Dembélé (32′), Payet (60′) | France seals qualification with ease. |
| Nov 15, 2018 | UEFA Nations League | France | 0-2 | None / Perišić (54′), Mandžukić (69′) | Croatia’s revenge post-World Cup final. |
| Sep 6, 2020 | UEFA Nations League | Croatia | 1-4 | None / Perišić (40′) | Mbappé double, Pogba & Griezmann shine. |
| Sep 8, 2020 | UEFA Nations League | France | 0-1 | None / Grbić (OG 8′) | Shock early goal; Croatia edges it. |
| Jul 15, 2018 | FIFA World Cup Final | France | 4-2 | Mandžukić (OG 18′), Griezmann (38′ pen), Pogba (59′), Mbappé (65′) / Perišić (28′), Mandžukić (69′) | Epic final; Mbappé’s teen goal, VAR drama. France champs! |
| Mar 20, 2025 | UEFA Nations League QF Leg 1 | Croatia | 2-0 | None / Budimir (45+2′), Perišić (78′) | Croatia shocks with home win; Mbappé quiet. |
| Mar 23, 2025 | UEFA Nations League QF Leg 2 | France | 2-0 (5-4 pens) | Olise (52′), Dembélé (80′) / None | France comeback! Penalties decide; Maignan hero. |
Total: France 6 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses. Goals: France 19-9 Croatia.
See? Clean, right? Now, let’s unpack the big ones—the matches that turned this into a proper rivalry.
The Dawn of the Drama: 1998 World Cup Semi-Final
It all started under the lights of the Stade de France on July 8, 1998. France, hosting the World Cup, faced a plucky Croatia in the semis. The Croats, in their debut tournament, had dazzled with a 3-0 thrashing of Germany in quarters. Led by Davor Šuker (Golden Boot winner) and a young Slaven Bilić, they were the tournament’s surprise package.
The game? A rollercoaster. Croatia struck first in the 46th minute—Šuker with a cheeky chip over Fabien Barthez. But France roared back. Lilian Thuram, not known for goals, scored twice: a header in the 47th and a long-range rocket in the 70th. Disaster struck for Les Bleus when Laurent Blanc got red-carded for a headbutt on Bilić, but they held on for 2-1.
That win propelled France to the final (beating Brazil 3-0) and their first star. For Croatia, third place followed, but it put them on the map. Fun fact: Thuram’s brace? His only two international goals. Talk about timing!
Euro 2004: A Group Stage Thriller
Fast-forward to June 17, 2004, in Leiria, Portugal. Euro 2004 Group B, and Croatia hosted France in a must-win for both. France, with Zinedine Zidane pulling strings, needed points after a loss to England. Croatia, featuring a rising Modrić in the youth ranks but stars like Darijo Srna up front, came off a win over Switzerland.
It was bonkers: Croatia led 2-0 at half-time with goals from Milan Rapaić and a Nikica Babić tap-in. France clawed back—own goal by Tomislav Šalić in the 42nd, then David Trezeguet equalizing early second half. Final score: 2-2. Both teams advanced, but France’s draw kept their hopes alive (they’d bow out in quarters to Greece, the shock champs).
This match showed Croatia’s fight—they nearly knocked out the favorites. And hey, it was a reminder: in football, no lead is safe.
World Cup Qualifiers: Tense Times in 2016-2017
Qualifying can be gritty, and the 2018 cycle delivered. First, September 6, 2016, in Zagreb: Croatia vs France ended 0-0. Modrić and Rakitić bossed midfield, but Hugo Lloris kept a clean sheet. France dominated possession but couldn’t break through—Modrić hit the bar.
The return leg, March 28, 2017, in Paris: France 2-0. Ousmane Dembélé (fresh-faced then) curled one in from 20 yards, and Dimitri Payet sealed it with a beauty. Croatia topped the group anyway, but France’s win showed their class. These games were low-scoring affairs, building that “cagey” rivalry vibe.
World Cup 2018 Final: The Pinnacle of Passion
Ah, July 15, 2018, Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. The World Cup final—France vs Croatia. Twenty years after ’98, history circled back. France, with Pogba, Griezmann, and a teenage Mbappé, sought a second star. Croatia, after marathon wins (all knockouts went to extra time), dreamed of glory with Modrić’s magic.
The game exploded early: Mario Mandžukić’s own goal in the 18th (off Griezmann’s shot). Croatia equalized—Perišić’s deflected volley in the 28th. Then VAR: Perišić’s handball led to Griezmann’s penalty (38th). 2-1 at half.
Second half? Pogba’s rebound strike (59th), Mbappé’s blistering counter (65th)—4-1! Lloris’ howler let Mandžukić pull one back (69th), but France held for 4-2. Mbappé, just 19, became the second teen scorer in a final (after Pelé). Griezmann MOTM, Modrić Golden Ball.
France partied; Croatia’s run inspired a nation. Highest-scoring final since ’66—pure theater.
Nations League Clashes: Modern Mayhem (2018-2020)
Post-2018, the UEFA Nations League heated things up. November 15, 2018, Paris: Croatia 2-0 revenge. Perišić and Mandžukić struck; France, hungover from the final, flopped.
Then 2020: September 6 in Zagreb, France 4-1. Mbappé’s brace, plus Pogba and Griezmann. Croatia got one back via Perišić, but Les Bleus dominated.
Two days later, Paris: Croatia 1-0. An early own goal by Ferland Mendy (off Modrić’s free-kick) stunned France. Modrić’s masterclass—Croatia topped the group.
These games flipped the script: Croatia won both in Paris, showing home-soil hex on France.
The Latest Chapter: 2025 Nations League Quarter-Finals
Fast-forward to March 2025—Nations League quarters. Leg 1, March 20, Split: Croatia 2-0. Ante Budimir headed in before half, Perišić volleyed late. Mbappé and Dembélé returned but fizzled; Croatia missed a penalty but earned a cushion.
Leg 2, March 23, Stade de France: France 2-0 (5-4 on pens). Michael Olise’s curling free-kick (52nd), Dembélé’s cut-back finish (80th). Extra time heroics from keeper Dominik Livaković, but penalties? Mike Maignan saved two, Dayot Upamecano scored the decider. France to semis vs Spain; Croatia out.
This tie? Peak drama—comeback kings France edge it again.
Iconic Players: The Heroes Who Lit Up These Matches
What makes France vs Croatia special? The talent. For France: Thuram’s ’98 heroics, Zidane’s Euro elegance, Mbappé’s 2018 speed (he’s scored three in these games), Griezmann’s cool penalties, Pogba’s flair.
Croatia’s gems? Šuker’s ’98 boot, Modrić’s endless engine (he’s dictated so many), Perišić’s four goals across clashes, Mandžukić’s grit (scorer and OG in the final!).
These lads aren’t just players—they’re legends who’ve turned rivalries into folklore.
Why It Matters: Legacy, Fans, and What’s Next
This matchup matters because it’s football at its best: triumph over odds, skill vs heart, history repeating with a twist. France’s pedigree meets Croatia’s punch—every game feels like a final. Fans? French crowds erupt in blue; Croatian supporters wave checkers with pride. Globally, it’s inspired underdogs everywhere.
Looking ahead? With 2026 World Cup looming, expect more. Modrić’s winding down, but Croatia’s youth (Gvardiol, Šutalo) rise. France? Mbappé’s prime, new blood like Olise. Their next meeting? Could be qualifiers or another Nations League thriller.
Wrapping It Up: Why You’ll Never Forget france national football team vs croatia national football team matches
From ’98 semis to 2025 pens, these matches are woven into football’s tapestry. They’re about more than scores—they’re stories of resilience, brilliance, and that raw joy of the beautiful game. Whether France dominates or Croatia shocks, it’s always unmissable.