UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Croatia beat World Champions France 1-0, Les Bleus end their Nations League title defence, Watch Croatia beat France HIGHLIGHTS

UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Croatia beat World Champions France 1-0

Didier Deschamps’ side had flattered to deceive in their first three matches this month, losing once and drawing the other two, and they were no better against a stubborn Croatia at the Stade de France.

They proved to be their own worst enemy with a needless early penalty concession that Luka Modric took full advantage of five minutes in.

UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Croatia beat World Champions France 1-0, Les Bleus end their Nations League title defence, Watch Croatia beat France HIGHLIGHTS, Croatia’s midfielder Luka Modric (2ndR) celebrates his team’s first goal with teammates during the UEFA Nations League – League A Group 1 football match between France and Croatia at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris on June 13, 2022. (Photo by Franck FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

The hosts’ performance was full of bluster but lacked subtlety, with clear-cut chances difficult to come by on another disappointing day for the reigning world champions.

Ibrahima Konate was the guilty party for the penalty as the Liverpool defender clumsily tripped Ante Budimir and, after a long VAR review, Modric just about squeezed his kick past Mike Maignan.

UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Les Bleus end their Nations League title defence

The game became frantic as Les Bleus desperately searched for a leveller, but Ivica Ivusic was not forced into a meaningful save until early in the second half when substitute Aurelien Tchouameni shot straight at the goalkeeper.

UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Croatia beat World Champions France 1-0, Les Bleus end their Nations League title defence, Watch Croatia beat France HIGHLIGHTS, Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) of France and Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) of France talks during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 1 match between France and Croatia at Stade de France on June 13, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

It was a sign of renewed purpose, however, and Kylian Mbappe saw a 30-yard strike go agonisingly wide a few moments later.

Yet, Croatia ended up creating the better chances in the closing stages, with Lovro Majer and Nikola Vlasic forcing saves from Maignan as the visitors gained a measure of revenge for their 2018 World Cup final loss.