Overview

• Michael Olise scored his first international goal with a stunning free kick, reigniting France's hopes in the second leg.
• Ousmane Dembélé netted the second goal, leveling the aggregate score at 2-2 and pushing the match into extra time.
• Didier Deschamps made significant lineup changes, including the introduction of Olise and Bradley Barcola, to revamp the team's strategy after the first-leg loss.
• An emotional pre-match tribute was held for Olivier Giroud, France's all-time leading scorer, in front of 80,000 fans at Stade de France.
• Croatia maintained their first-leg lineup, with Luka Modric continuing to lead the team, but struggled to contain France's attacking intensity.