France beat Croatia thanks to Foulquier

Dimitri Foulquier scored the 79th-minute winner against Croatia as France secured their place in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship semi-finals with a match to spare.

France dominated throughout and had plenty of chances to score, though there was a hint of good luck about their winner. Stade Rennais FC full-back Foulquier made a run down the right and seemingly meant his ball into the box as a cross, but the lofted delivery cleared Croatia goalkeeper Simon Sluga and crept in off the inside of his post.

With Croatia looking to keep it tight in the first period, France dominated possession, and had five decent opportunities. The best of the chances fell to Thibaut Vion after nine minutes, but Sluga got the better of him when a through-ball left the FC Porto forward with just the goalkeeper to beat. Sluga also saved well from Alassane Plea.

Croatia did not get a shot on target before the break, but having finally done so early in the second period, they passed up their best chance on 55 minutes. Marko Pajač's low cross from the left found Domagoj Pavičić alone inside the box, but his finishing deserted him and his effort went narrowly wide of the post.

France continued to boss things thereafter, but nerves may have started to jangle as the unconverted chances piled up. Axel Ngando's great run was followed by a shot over the bar on 67 minutes, and on 78 minutes Jean-Christophe Bahebeck passed into the box only to find substitute Alexy Bosetti not alive to the opportunity. Fortunately for Pierre Mankowski's side, salvation was just 60 seconds away.