Kramaric on spot as Croatia hold France, Denmark down Austria after power cut

A reshuffled France drew 1-1 away to Croatia in their second Nations League game on Monday, four days after an opening defeat by Denmark.

The defending champions went ahead through Adrien Rabiot’s goal early in the second half but Andrej Kramaric’s late penalty, awarded after the forward was brought down by fellow substitute Jonathan Clauss, gave the hosts a deserved draw.

World champions France, who slumped to a 2-1 home loss to Denmark in their opening match, were without Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema at the start as coach Didier Deschamps made 10 changes to Friday’s team.

“We did good things considering all the changes. We were ahead and could have scored more but it’s a pity we gifted them the equaliser,” said Deschamps, who was back on the bench after missing Friday’s game against Denmark following the death of his father.

“It was however a coherent performance,” the France head coach added. “They barely threatened in the second half. The result is not satisfying and even if it’s a competitive game our goal is to prepare for [the World Cup at] the end of the year.”

Croatia were the most dangerous in a lively start before Christopher Nkunku was denied a goal for offside as France began to threaten on the break around the half-hour mark. Les Bleus piled the pressure on Croatia’s left flank and Moussa Diaby came close before the break just before Aurélien Tchouaméni’s fierce strike was parried away by Dominik Livakovic.

France were rewarded for their attacking intent in the 52nd minute when Rabiot collected a through ball from Wissam Ben Yedder and found the back of the net with a low shot for his second international goal.

But in the 83rd minute the defender Jonathan Clauss, on as a substitute for Diaby, brought