Holders France failed to qualify for the Nations League final four after losing 1-0 at home to Croatia on Monday, keeping their Nations League winless streak alive. The world champions have already lost two games and drawn two, putting them at the bottom of Group 1 with two points, five behind Croatia, who won due to a Luka Modric penalty early in the game.
Denmark won 2-0 over Austria to maintain their nine-point lead over France, who are in danger of being relegated, with two games remaining in the group.
Austria is in third place with four points. Didier Deschamps reshuffled his team once more as he attempted to rest players towards the end of the season, and he never fielded the best possible lineup in any of the four matches this month. Before Monday's setback to the team they beat in the World Cup final four years ago, Les Bleus had lost to Denmark, drawn with Croatia, and lost to Austria.
After Ibrahima Konate fouled Ante Budimir, Croatia took the lead after five minutes when Modric converted a penalty. It was Modric's 22nd goal for Croatia in 152 games. Kylian Mbappe had two chances, but it was the visitors, through Josip Brekalo, who threatened the most in the 17th minute. At halftime, Deschamps made two substitutions, replacing Boubacar Kamara in midfield with Aurelien Tchouameni and Jules Kounde on the right wing of the defence with Benjamin Pavard. Mbappe had two more chances, but Ivica Ivusic made a comfortable save as Croatia maintained control of the game. With 10 minutes remaining, Deschamps substituted Antoine Griezmann for Matteo Guendouzi in a last-ditch attempt to salvage a point. But it proved in vain as France failed to score for the first time after netting in their 23 previous games.