Croatia defeated France after a dramatic penalty shootout to claim its first-ever medal — bronze at the European Championship!
The match in Ljubljana’s Stožice Arena ended 5–5 in regular time, but Croatia held its nerve from the spot to achieve the greatest success in the team’s history. Backed by thousands of Croatian fans, they were the better side throughout and fully deserved this historic triumph.
France started better, controlling possession with ease and threatening from distance. They took the lead in the fourth minute after a set-piece from around eight meters out found Nicolas Menendez, who made no mistake from close range.
Marko Kuraja broke through twice soon after, only to be denied both times by French goalkeeper Francis Lokoka. Croatia began pressing higher, winning balls in dangerous areas. After one such steal, Kuraja set up Nikola Gudasić, who attempted a clever lob, but the shot sailed just over the bar.
The pressure kept mounting, and in the 14th minute, Croatia finally equalized. Niko Vukmir threaded a perfect pass to Antonio Sekulić, who slipped behind the French defense, faked the keeper, and fired his shot off the crossbar and in.
Croatia kept up the intensity and even survived a scare when France wasted a 3-on-2 counterattack. Just before halftime, the comeback was complete. Croatia’s press forced another turnover, the ball found Sekulić, who slid it to Josip Jurlina, and Jurlina scored for a 2–1 lead.
Seconds into the second half, Croatia struck again. Pressing high once more, Mataja disrupted France’s buildup, and the ball fell to captain Jelovčić, whose toe-poked effort bounced awkwardly and deceived the goalkeeper — 3–1 Croatia.
But France hit back immediately. From a corner swung deep to the far post, Ouassini Guirio volleyed beautifully into the opposite corner to make it 3–2.
After a brief lull, Croatia restored their two-goal cushion in the 29th minute. Mataja slipped a pass down the right to Vukmir, who squared across the goal for Hrstić to slide in and finish emphatically for 4–2.
France responded again just 90 seconds later. A chaotic scramble in front of Croatian goalkeeper Piplica ended with Guirio once more poking the ball home to make it 4–3.
Four minutes from time, after a big save by Piplica, they broke forward with Kristian Čekol setting up Luka Perić, who tapped into an empty net for 5–3.
Then came pure chaos. France pulled one back in the final minute through Guirio, his third of the night, to make it 5–4. And with just seven seconds left, a Croatian defensive error gifted France an equalizer for 5–5.
The drama carried into the shootout. Both teams converted their first five penalties, forcing sudden death. France blinked first — Croatia held firm.
Moments later, history was made. Croatia clinched its first-ever European Championship medal!
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