In the premiere match of the European Championship in Latvia, in Riga, Croatia and France shared the points (2:2) in a game that had everything.
A strong start by our national team, a quick French turnaround, and a comeback after the break to secure a point that could prove very important in the fight to get out of the group. The match was played at Arena Riga in front of around 500 spectators, and the impression after the first 40 minutes: Croatia showed it can compete with the very best.
Croatia controlled the game for a long spell and was rewarded with the opening goal midway through the first half, but France responded instantly and turned the score around to 1:2 in just two minutes, which is how it stood at the interval. In the second half the tempo dropped, but Croatia waited patiently for its chance and got it late on: the equaliser came after a shot by Antonio Sekulić that ended up in the net following a deflection, while France tried to take risks in the closing moments with the “goalkeeper–outfield player” tactic, without any change to the scoreline.
Goalscorers (minutes):
- 1:0 Duje Kustura (14’)
- 1:1 Mamadou Toure (15’)
- 1:2 Ouassini Guirio (17’)
- 2:2 Kustura (34’)
The draw in the opening match comes in Group A, which also includes Georgia and hosts Latvia, so turning this point into something more in the next matches will be crucial.
Head coach Marinko Mavrović stressed that he was satisfied because Croatia played against, as he said, “the toughest opponent”, and that the team proved it can match the best — but he also warned that the result “won’t mean anything” if it isn’t backed up in the next games.
Captain Franco Jelovčić said the start was “excellent”, that there was a brief “blackout” after taking the lead, but also that the team stayed calm and deservedly earned a point, adding that there is no room for euphoria.
On the French side, head coach Raphaël Reynaud admitted he had no real explanation for his team’s poor start, praised their reaction and defending, but expressed regret that they didn’t preserve the lead. Goalkeeper Francis Lokoka said they fought “from start to finish” and that the draw does not threaten their ambitions in the group.
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