France National Football Team Vs Croatia National Football Team Lineups, Stats & Full Match Analysis

Some football matches transcend the sport, regardless of whether they are played on grass or a futsal court. The France national football team vs Croatia national football team lineups for the UEFA Futsal EURO 2026 third-place play-off on 7 February 2026 produced one of the most extraordinary matches in the history of the competition: a 5-5 thriller at Arena Stožice in Ljubljana, a last-second equaliser from Souheil Mouhoudine with seven seconds on the clock, and a nail-biting penalty shoot-out that Croatia won 6-5 to seal their first-ever medal at a Futsal EURO.

This was France’s second appearance at a Futsal EURO — and already their finest campaign, reaching the semi-finals before losing 1-4 to holders Portugal. Croatia, captained by the legendary Franko Jelovčić in what he confirmed would be his final two international matches, arrived in Ljubljana having lost their semi-final 1-2 to eventual champions Spain. Both nations craved bronze. What unfolded was football — futsal — at its most breathless.

In the first third-place play-off in Futsal EURO history to be decided by penalties, Ouassini Guirio’s stunning hat-trick for France was ultimately not enough. Souheil Mouhoudine’s last-gasp equaliser with just seven seconds remaining forced a shoot-out that Croatia won 6-5, with Ante Piplica and Croatia’s five flawless kicks proving the difference. Franko Jelovčić — in his final two international matches ever — lifted bronze at the age of 34 as Croatia made history.

Disclaimer: All statistics, match results, team lineups, and historical data are accurate as of now to the best of our knowledge and may change over time. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not represent any official federation or team.

Match Overview

The third-place play-off at UEFA Futsal EURO 2026 was played at Arena Stožice in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on 7 February 2026 — the same day and venue as the Spain vs Portugal final. The match kicked off at 16:00 CET. The attendance was 6,997, with both sets of fans creating an intense atmosphere. Referee Damian Grabowski of Poland was the match official, assisted by Arttu Kyynäräinen (Finland), with Chiara Perona (Italy) and Daniel Matkovic (Switzerland) completing the officiating team.

France head coach Raphaël Reynaud, whose team had topped Group A in Riga with 7 points (2-2 vs Croatia, 5-0 vs Latvia, 3-1 vs Georgia), then beaten Ukraine 4-2 in extra time, had been deprived of captain Abdessamad Mohammed through suspension for the semi-final loss to Portugal. Croatia coach Marinko Mavrović had guided his side through the group stage (2-2 vs France and Georgia, 4-1 vs Latvia), a 3-0 quarter-final win over Armenia, and a tight 1-2 semi-final defeat to Spain in a 6,456-strong crowd.

Under Futsal EURO rules, the third-place play-off goes directly to a penalty shoot-out if scores are level at 40 minutes — unlike the final, which features extra time. This rule would prove decisive.

France led through Nicolas Menendez (3′), then trailed 1-3 to goals from Sekulić, Jurlina and Jelovčić. Guirio pulled France back to 2-3, before Hrstić restored a two-goal cushion. Guirio struck again to make it 3-4. Luka Perić seemed to seal it at 3-5 in the 35th minute. Then came Guirio’s hat-trick goal (37′) before Mouhoudine’s stunning equaliser with seven seconds remaining. The shoot-out Croatia won 6-5, with Ante Piplica and Croatia’s flawless nerve the decisive factor.

France National Football Team Vs Croatia National Football Team Lineups

France — Full Official Squad (UEFA Futsal EURO 2026)

France’s 14-player squad was managed by head coach Raphaël Reynaud. Note: Ayoub Saadaoui was withdrawn before the tournament due to a knee injury and replaced by Amin Benslama.

Head Coach: Raphaël Reynaud Style: Attacking 4-1 / high-press rotation

Note: Abdessamad Mohammed (No. 10) was suspended for the semi-final vs Portugal after receiving a red card in the quarter-final vs Ukraine. He was available for the third-place match. Mouhoudine (No. 11) is listed as Defender in the squad registration but plays as a universal/forward pivot in practice — a common futsal positional flexibility.

Croatia — Full Official Squad (UEFA Futsal EURO 2026)

Croatia’s 14-player squad was managed by head coach Marinko Mavrović. Ivan Jelić was a late call-up to replace injured goalkeeper Vinko Rozga.

Head Coach: Marinko Mavrović Style: Counter-attacking with disciplined defensive shape

Starting Fives — Third-Place Match

In futsal, coaches rotate their starting five and substitute freely throughout the match. Based on official reports and match coverage, the deployed cores were:

France starting core: Lokoka (GK), Menendez, Mouhoudine, Guirio, Tchato / Touré rotation Croatia starting core: Piplica (GK), Jelovčić, Jurlina, Sekulić, Hrstić / Perić rotation

Match Timeline — France vs Croatia (Futsal EURO 2026, Third-Place Play-Off)

A complete minute-by-minute log of every key event in this historic encounter.

Note: Under Futsal EURO 2026 regulations, the third-place play-off goes directly to a penalty shoot-out if level after 40 minutes, without extra time. This was the first time in Futsal EURO history that a third-place match required a shoot-out.

Match Statistics

Official and reported statistics from the France national football team vs Croatia national football team Futsal EURO 2026 third-place play-off:

Verified stat: The tournament’s top scorer was Souheil Mouhoudine (France) and Antonio Pérez (Spain), both finishing on 7 goals. Mouhoudine’s tally included a hat-trick in extra time against Ukraine in the quarter-final, one goal vs Georgia in the group stage, plus his late equaliser in the third-place match.

Player Ratings (Post-Match)

France Player Ratings

Croatia Player Ratings

Man of the Match: Franko Jelovčić (Croatia) — goal, leadership, legendary farewell. Ouassini Guirio (France) — hat-trick, individual brilliance.

Tactical Analysis

France: High-Press, High-Risk, High-Drama

Raphaël Reynaud’s France were built on a philosophy of relentless pressing and rapid transitions. In the third-place match, this was evident from the very first seconds — Nicolas Menendez capitalising just 3 minutes in off intensive forward pressure. France’s attacking 4-1 pivot rotation kept Croatia’s defence constantly occupied, with Guirio acting as the primary goal threat and Mouhoudine providing the link play and late runs.

France’s vulnerability was in their defensive transitions. Each of Croatia’s five goals came from exactly the type of direct, lethal counter-attack that France’s high line exposed. Sekulić’s role was key: his pressing won possession high up the pitch, directly creating Jurlina’s 18th-minute goal, and his energy was the motor of Croatia’s quick-break play.

The mental fortitude France showed — pulling back from 3-5 down with under five minutes to play — reflected the character Reynaud had built throughout the tournament. But the penalty shoot-out exposed a weakness: sending Mamadou Toure first, missing his kick, set a damaging psychological tone that Croatia’s ice-cool five never wavered from.

Croatia: Defensive Shape, Lethal Counter, Perfect Penalties

Marinko Mavrović’s approach was methodical. Croatia defended narrowly, sat deep when France had possession, and relied on the individual quality of Jelovčić, Jurlina, Sekulić and Perić to exploit space on the break. Their 3-1 scoreline by the 20th minute reflected this: three counter-attacks, three goals. Hrstić’s 29th-minute goal — described by UEFA as “a fine team goal” — demonstrated their collective coordination was not merely route-one.

Franko Jelovčić, Croatia captain, said after the match: “It was a thrilling game; I don’t know what to say. Being down 1-0, going up two goals and then they equalise with seven seconds to go… It was incredible. We stayed mentally tough. Generally in a penalty shoot-out, the team that scored last are mentally better, but we stayed calm and everybody converted their penalties.”

France coach Raphaël Reynaud said: “First off, congratulations to Croatia – futsal is sometimes cruel, but Croatia have played a really intelligent match today. We’re very disappointed because we believed we could win it. It was an extraordinary match.”

Croatia’s penalty shoot-out composure was the defining quality. After France missed their opening kick (Toure), Croatia scored five consecutive penalties without a single miss. This was the culmination of Mavrović’s psychological preparation: no Croatia player flinched. Ante Piplica, who had been outstanding in goal throughout the tournament — notably making a penalty save in the Croatia vs Georgia group game — was strong throughout, if rarely as tested in this match as some goalkeepers were.

The Futsal Format: Rules That Shaped the Drama

It is essential to note the specific Futsal EURO rule that made this match’s ending unique. Unlike the final, where if scores are level on 40 minutes there will be ten minutes of extra time, the third-place match proceeded straight to a penalty shoot-out. This rule meant that Mouhoudine’s 39’53” equaliser, celebrated wildly at the time, did not ultimately give France a chance to push for a winning goal in extra time. It went immediately to spot kicks — and there, Croatia’s composure told.

Head-to-Head Record — France vs Croatia (Futsal)

Futsal Meetings — UEFA Futsal EURO 2026

Group Stage Note: The group stage match (21 Jan 2026) saw Duje Kustura score twice for Croatia and Mamadou Touré + Ouassini Guirio reply for France. The shot count reflected a tight encounter, with 23 for Croatia and 24 by France.

2026 Tournament Futsal H2H Summary:

Association Football H2H (Selected Major Matches)

Tournament Journey: How Both Teams Reached the Third-Place Match

France’s Route to 4th Place

France defeated Georgia 3-1 to seal first place in Group A — the first time France had advanced past the Futsal EURO group stage at their second attempt.

Croatia’s Route to Bronze 🥉

Croatia deployed captain Franko Jelovčić as a flying goalkeeper in the final stages of the semi-final against Spain, with Čekol’s cross turned into the net by Spain captain Mario Rivillos. Antonio Sekulić smashed a free-kick against the bar but the equaliser did not arrive.

Key Players Spotlight

🌟 Ouassini Guirio (France, No. 14) — Hat-Trick Hero

Born 14 December 2000, club: Étoile lavalloise Futsal Club. The 25-year-old was the standout individual performer of the third-place match. Three goals — all under severe pressure, all in the second half of the game’s dramatic narrative — marked Guirio as one of the tournament’s breakout stars. His first goal at 21’18” showed composure under pressure; his second at 31’19” showed determination; his third at 37’34” showed an elite finisher’s instinct to never stop believing. Guirio was one of five players to score three goals in a single game at the tournament — matching the achievement of Omar Rahou, Julio De Oliveira, Souheil Mouhoudine and Antonio Pérez.

🌟 Souheil Mouhoudine (France, No. 11) — Tournament Joint-Top Scorer

Born 29 March 1995, club: Étoile lavalloise Futsal Club. Seven goals across the tournament — joint-best with Spain’s Antonio Pérez. Mouhoudine’s extra-time hat-trick against Ukraine in the quarter-final (after entering the second half level at 2-2) was arguably the performance of the tournament. His equaliser against Croatia in the third-place match — with just seven seconds remaining on the clock, having trailed 3-5 — encapsulated everything about France’s relentless character under Reynaud.

🌟 Abdessamad Mohammed (France, No. 10) — Captain and Talisman

Born 10 December 1990, club: Étoile lavalloise Futsal Club. The 35-year-old captain was suspended for the semi-final after receiving a red card against Ukraine. In the group stage and quarter-final, his quality in possession and leadership role were central to France’s progress. His return for the third-place match was welcomed, though the defeat will be the bitterest memory of his international career to date.

🌟 Franko Jelovčić (Croatia, No. 7) — A Legend’s Farewell

Born 6 July 1991, club: Torcida Biberon. At 34 years old, Croatia’s all-time record caps and goals holder finished his international career with a bronze medal and a goal in the decisive match. Jelovčić was part of Croatia’s 2012 home semi-final squad — 14 years earlier — and captained this generation to their nation’s first-ever major tournament medal. His 20th-minute goal in the third-place match was the second of five Croatia strikes on a historic night. He said afterwards: “It was a thrilling game. Being down 1-0, going up two goals and then they equalise with seven seconds to go… It was incredible.”

🌟 Antonio Sekulić (Croatia, No. 17) — The Engine

Born 22 January 1999, club: Osijek Kandit. Scored in both matches against France at this tournament — the group stage equaliser (one of Kustura’s goals was credited to Sekulić in some reports, but the 12th-minute goal in the third-place match was definitively his). His pressing, his positioning in transition, and his composure in converting attacking moments from defensive situations made him Croatia’s most dynamic outfield player throughout the campaign. He also smashed a free-kick against the Spanish bar in the semi-final — a game that was far closer than the scoreline suggested.

🌟 Ante Piplica (Croatia, No. 1) — The Goalkeeper Who Saved Bronze

Born 6 June 2000, club: Futsal Dinamo. Ante Piplica had a tremendous night in goal in the quarter-final against Armenia and his performances were central to Croatia’s deep run. In the third-place match, Piplica conceded five goals but made important saves, including a penalty save against Georgia in the group stage. His composure in the shoot-out — as his teammates scored five flawless kicks — was part of Croatia’s collective mental fortitude.

🌟 Josip Jurlina (Croatia, No. 10) — Young Star

Born 13 January 2000, club: Sporting Sala Consilina (Italy). Jurlina helped Croatia reach the 2019 UEFA U19 Futsal EURO final at Arena Riga under Marinko Mavrović. Scoring in both France matches at this tournament, Jurlina was Croatia’s most prolific finisher across the competition with five tournament goals overall, alongside Luka Perić.

Recent Form — Full Futsal EURO 2026 Tournament Record

France — All Six Matches

Tournament Totals (France): P6 W3 D1 L2 | GF: 20 | GA: 14 | Top scorer: Mouhoudine 7 goals

Croatia — All Six Matches

Tournament Totals (Croatia): P6 W2 D2 L2 | GF: 16 | GA: 9 | Most goals: Jurlina & Perić (5 each)

Squad Depth & Tournament Statistics Comparison

Tournament Implications

Croatia’s Historic Bronze Medal

Croatia won their first ever medal after beating France in the third-place play-off on penalties. This was the landmark moment in Croatian futsal history. Having previously come closest in 2012 — reaching the semi-final as hosts before losing to Italy in the third-place match — Croatia under Marinko Mavrović finally delivered what the nation’s futsal community had craved: a podium finish at a European Championship. For captain Franko Jelovčić, with 34 years old, finishing his career with a bronze medal was the perfect ending.

The result confirms Croatia’s growth trajectory. Croatia’s defence was excellent throughout the tournament, conceding just seven goals across five matches before the final — an impressive feat in futsal. Their counter-attacking model, built around quick transitions and a clinical attacking rotation, proved capable of competing with any team in Europe except Spain.

France’s Historic 4th Place

France’s fourth-place finish represents their best-ever result at a Futsal EURO in only their second appearance. Their first appearance in 2018 saw them exit in the group stage. This 2026 campaign — 20 goals scored, three wins, a quarter-final comeback against Ukraine via extra time — established France as a genuine top-five futsal nation in Europe.

France’s Raphaël Reynaud had said before the semi-final: “A mountain stands before us, but we also have our strengths. We’ve worked to ensure this match will be a landmark in French futsal history. Portugal will be the favourites, but we have what it takes to challenge them and push them to their limits.” Though the final step was not reached, the foundation for future success is undeniable.

Spain’s Dominance Restored

While France and Croatia fought for bronze, the Arena Stožice final saw Spain beat Portugal 5-3 to claim their eighth UEFA Futsal EURO title — ending Portugal’s two-year reign. Antonio Pérez was the hat-trick hero, finishing as joint-top scorer on 7 goals alongside France’s Souheil Mouhoudine, as Spain claimed their eighth title after a ten-year wait.

FIFA Futsal World Cup 2028 Outlook

Both France and Croatia will target strong qualifying campaigns for the next FIFA Futsal World Cup cycle. France’s depth — led by Mouhoudine, Guirio and Mohammed — makes them credible top-four contenders at any major tournament. Croatia’s experience and Mavrović’s system provide a solid base for continued development, though the retirement of Jelovčić leaves a significant leadership and quality gap to fill.

Read Also: Mexico National Football Team Vs Colombia National Football Team Lineups

Conclusion

The France national football team vs Croatia national football team lineups at the UEFA Futsal EURO 2026 third-place play-off delivered everything that makes elite futsal so compelling: end-to-end action, individual brilliance from Guirio’s hat-trick, a last-second equaliser that seemed to turn the tie, and ultimately, a penalty shoot-out where Croatia’s collective nerve proved decisive.

Croatia’s bronze medal is historic. France’s fourth-place campaign in only their second Futsal EURO is the foundation of a developing futsal powerhouse. The France national football team vs Croatia national football team lineups, stats and timeline from this February 2026 match represent a landmark in both nations’ futsal histories — and a rivalry that is now firmly established at Europe’s highest level.

As the coaches said at full time: Croatia played “an intelligent match” and France gave “an extraordinary” effort. On both counts, the verdict was correct.

❓ FAQs — France National Football Team Vs Croatia National Football Team Lineups

Q1. What was the final score in the France vs Croatia Futsal EURO 2026 match?

The match ended 5-5 after 40 minutes of regulation play. Croatia won the penalty shoot-out 6-5, claiming the bronze medal. It was the first third-place play-off in Futsal EURO history to be decided by penalties.

Q2. When and where was the France national football team vs Croatia national football team third-place match played?

7 February 2026, Arena Stožice, Ljubljana, Slovenia. Kick-off was 16:00 CET (15:00 UTC). Attendance: 6,997.

Q3. Who scored France’s goals in the France vs Croatia Futsal EURO 2026 match?

Nicolas Menendez (3′), Ouassini Guirio (21′, 31′, 37′ — hat-trick), and Souheil Mouhoudine (39’53” — with just seven seconds remaining).

Q4. Who scored Croatia’s goals?

Antonio Sekulić (12′), Josip Jurlina (18′), Franko Jelovčić (20′), Jakov Hrstić (29′) and Luka Perić (35′).

Q5. Who was the tournament’s top scorer?

Souheil Mouhoudine (France) and Antonio Pérez (Spain) shared the golden boot with 7 goals each. Antonio Pérez was named the tournament’s best player.

Q6. Did any players receive red cards in the France vs Croatia third-place match?

No. The match was intense but fair throughout — no yellow or red cards were issued.

Q7. What were the tournament implications of this match?

Croatia claimed their first-ever UEFA Futsal EURO medal (bronze). France finished fourth — their best-ever result at a Futsal EURO. Spain won the tournament, beating Portugal 5-3 in the final.