France Eliminated From UEFA Nations League After Defeat to Croatia

• France remain rooted to the bottom of Nations League A Group 1, condemned to their second defeat in four games by Luka Modric’s penalty
• Denmark top the group on nine points - two points above Croatia - after a 2-0 win over Austria
• The final two rounds of games will be played in September with France hoping to avoid relegation to League B

France's hopes of retaining the Nations League title are over after a home defeat by Croatia on Monday.

Luka Modric's fifth-minute penalty after Ibrahima Konate fouled Ante Budimir was the game's only goal.

France had three of the top four scorers in Europe's major leagues - Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe and Christopher Nkunku - but failed to find the net.

France remain rooted to the bottom of Nations League A Group 1, condemned to their second defeat in four games by Luka Modric.

Croatia, meanwhile, move up to second, two points off the lead, and were good value for a fine win.

France open their UEFA Nations League title defence against Denmark

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How Croatia defeated France

The decisive goal came early, Karim Benzema clearing a corner while, behind him, Ibrahima Konate’s clumsy challenge on Josip Brekalo forced the referee to award a penalty.

Modric’s kick wasn’t much good but Mike Maignan failed to keep it out despite going the right way and from then on, the half was played at Croatia’s tempo.

After the break, France improved, but Croatia remained calm in massed defence, also countering and moving the ball well around midfield when they could.

Though the home side had most of of the ball – throughout the match – they couldn’t create a single chance, devoid of rhythm and cohesion, fully earning their fate.

Luka Modric Pens New One Year Contract Extension With Real Madrid

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Luka Modric has signed a one-year contract extension at Real Madrid thereby ending speculation about his future with the Spanish Champions.

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Modric has been an integral member of the Real Madrid team and played a key role as Los Blancos clinched a record-extending 14th UEFA Champions League title.

The 36-year-old’s deal with the Spanish Champions had been due to end this summer but Real Madrid has now announced via the club’s Twitter page that Modric has penned a new deal until 2023.