Substitution from hell! Clauss comes on and gifts Croatia a penalty that cost France the win

France substitute Jonathan Clauss spent only a few seconds on the pitch before committing a foul in his box that ultimately gave Croatia a 1-1 draw with France in an entertaining Nations League match at Stadion Poljud in Split. The late penalty conversion from Hoffenheim's Andrej Kramaric cancelled out Adrien Rabiot's opener in a match where France probably deserved the win a bit more after controlling long periods of the game.

Croatia and France surprisingly both lost at home in their respective Nations League openers last weekend. That made them determined to put things right when they met on Monday night in the coastal city of Split.

France coach Didier Deschamps made six changes to his team for this re-run of the 2018 World Cup final. Most notably, Monaco captain Wissam Ben Yedder was drafted in attack in place of Karim Benzema. It was Ben Yedder's first appearance for Les Bleus since March 2018.

The visitors looked more dangerous throughout the first half against Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and other Croatian stars, but lacked that final ball. The one time they managed to create a chance, Christopher Nkunku lifted the ball neatly over Dominik Livakovic and into the far corner. To his misfortune, the goal didn't count as he was far marginally offside.

On the other end, Ante Budimir was presented with Croatia's sole chance early on, but captain Presnel Kimpembe made a crucial tackle to protect Mike Maignan's net.

The breakthrough arrived just after the half-time break when Juventus' midfielder Rabiot beat Livakovic after a smart lay-off from Ben Yedder. It was only the second goal for Rabiot in his 27th appearance for the national team.

Backed by the noisy home fans, Croatia mounted a bit of late pressure and were rewarded when substitute Jonathan Clauss fouled Andrej Kramaric mere seconds after coming on. The spot-kick was given after a long VAR review and Kramaric himself dispatched the penalty with ease to give his country a respectable draw and the first point in the new Nations League season.

Another substitute Antoine Griezmann had a late chance to snatch the win, but the Croats held on.

UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE

LEAGUE A, ROUND 1

Wednesday

Poland - Wales 2-1 (0-0)

/Kaminski 72, Swiderski 85 - Williams 52/

Thursday

Czech R. - Switzerland 2-1 (1-1)

/Kuchta 11, Sow 58 og - Okafor 44/

Spain - Portugal 1-1 (1-0)

/Morata 25 - Horta 82/

Friday

Belgium - Netherlands 1-4 (0-1)

/Batshuayi 90+3 - Bergwijn 40, Depay 51, 66, Dumfries 62/

Croatia - Austria 0-3 (0-1)

/Arnautovic 41, Gregoritsch 54, Sabitzer 57/

France - Denmark 1-2 (0-0)

/Benzema 51 - Cornelius 68, 88/

Saturday

Hungary - England 1-0 (0-0)

/Szoboszlai 66 pen/

Italy - Germany 1-1 (0-0)

/Pellegrini 70 - Kimmich 73/

Sunday

Czech R. - Spain 2-2 (1-1)

/Pesek 4, Kuchta 66 - Gavi 45+3, Martinez 90/

Portugal - Switzerland 4-0 (3-0)

/Carvalho 15, Ronaldo 35, 40, Cancelo 69/

Monday

Croatia - Austria 1-1 (0-0)

/Kramaric 83 - Rabiot 52/

Austria - Denmark (heavily delayed due to power failure)

Tuesday

21.45: (2.50) Germany (3.20) England (3.15)

21.45: (1.32) Italy (5.40) Hungary (12.0)

Wednesday

21.45: (5.20) Wales (3.60) Netherlands (1.80)

21.45: (1.65) Belgium (3.80) Poland (6.25)

***odds are subject to change