Uefa Nations League, France-Croatia 1-1 to Rabiot Kramaric answers in the final

First points for both teams after the debut defeat. Surprise Kazakhstan, Inter’s Slovakia beaten 1-0. Problems with the lighting system, in Vienna Austria-Denmark starts only at 22.15. Equal of Albania of the Italian coach

Not even the ninth is good. In fact, the curse of Croatia continues, which has never beaten France in previous officials. This time, on a less important occasion than the World Cup final, it ends in a draw. Postponed the moment of victory for both in this Nations League, they had lost on their debut against Austria and Denmark respectively. After a not too intense first half, the guests took the lead with Rabiot, only to be joined in the final by the penalty awarded after a long check by Di Bello at the Var and transformed by Kramaric.

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THE FIRST TIME

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The two formations are very different from the previous commitment. Croatia changes six, France even ten by changing the tactical set-up. Deschamps proposes a 4-2-3-1 compared to the 3-4-1-2 seen against the Danes, the only one to be reconfirmed is Tchouameni. The first stages of the match are of study, the defenses are very careful: Juranovic on the one hand and Saliba and Kimpembé on the other make providential interventions to maintain balance on the pitch. The PSG defender, in particular, throws himself into a slide on Budimir’s conclusion without fail. At 23 ‘Tchouameni tries to deflect a free kick from the left, but without framing the goal. It is at this point that France understands the key to hitting Croatia, with precise movements to be made between the low winger and one of the central ones. Nkunku does it shortly after the half-hour prompted by Diaby, nice touch under which he overcomes Livakovic, but starts offside and the goal is canceled. At 39 ‘the game is proposed with reversed parts, the Croatian goalkeeper is good at opposing first on Diaby and then on Tchouameni.

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THE SECOND HALF

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No change at half-time, the French scheme succeeds on the third run. Ben Yedder throws Rabiot, the Juve midfielder is cold in front of Livakovic by putting him on the near post. Croatia tries to reorganize the offensive, Modric engages Maignan from a distance and on the other side does the same Griezmann. The engagement materializes in the 83rd minute: the Milan goalkeeper is promptly out on Budimir, Sucic rushes on the ball before Clauss hits him. Guida points to the spot, the assistant raises the flag and a lengthy review is required to confirm the referee’s initial decision, with two potential offside situations. Kramaric’s feint from eleven meters deceives Maignan who is displaced and the Croatians equalize. In the final, Vlasic and Sucic have the overtaking ball on their foot, the first is neutralized by the Rossoneri’s goalkeeper and the second closes the diagonal too much. In Split rightly ends without winners. After two days, France is still winless …

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THE OTHER RACES

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Very few emotions in the other matches of the evening. Austria-Denmark is still in progress, due to an electrical failure that delayed the start of the challenge by an hour and a half. Edy Reja’s Albania comes out with a good draw from the trip to Iceland (1-1), Kazakhstan flies by surprise to the top of group C3 thanks to the victory over Slovakia. Slovakia is alarmed that it may have to do without Milan Skriniar for the next matches. The Inter defender was out in the 43rd minute due to injury. On leaving the field he put his hands on his face (pain or tiredness?). We await news in the next few hours.

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Belarus and Azerbaijan, on the other hand, do not go beyond 0-0. Same result between Andorra and Moldova of group D1, led by Latvia winning on Liechtenstein.

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