With a home game against leaders Denmark to come, qualification for the Nations League finals is in Croatia’s hands when international football reconvenes in late September.

Kovacic played all but the final two minutes of stoppage time in Croatia’s midfield, showing all of his positional discipline and tenacity in the tackle to help preserve the 1-0 advantage the visitors held from as early as the fifth minute. It is Croatia’s first ever win against the country who beat them at the same venue in the 1998 World Cup semi-final, and again in the final two decades later.

Tonight Croatia took the lead at the Stade de France through a Luka Modric penalty, awarded for a foul by Ibrahima Konate at a corner, celebrated by Kovacic and his team-mates above.

The French remained uncertain at the back and a Kovacic pass released Ante Budimir, who had been involved in the penalty incident. Mike Maignan of AC Milan, who replaced Hugo Lloris in goal tonight, just about cleared the danger, although he was forced into a couple of risky challenges outside his box.

Kovacic made one good interception to stop Karem Benzema getting a shot away as the hosts tried to prise open Croatia’s low block. Their threat on the counter remained and Budimir saw an effort deflected wide having stayed onside.

Kylian Mbappe was denied by a good save on the hour mark, not long after former Blue Mario Pasalic had almost had a tap-in as France again conceded possession cheaply.

Croatia dug deep with Kovacic covering plenty of ground as usual, limiting the country that beat them in the 2018 World Cup to few clear chances. Benzema almost forced a 94th-minute own goal after Kovacic’s withdrawal but Croatia’s stopper Ivica Ivusic made his best save of the night to secure a second successive notable 1-0 away win.

N'Golo Kante was not in the France matchday squad because of a knee issue.

Earlier on Monday, England Under-18s won their four nations tournament in Croatia courtesy of a goalless draw against the hosts, with three Chelsea youngsters coming off the bench to help see the Young Lions over the line.

Brodi Hughes and Jude Soonsup-Bell were introduced either side of the hour, and Charlie Webster played the closing stages in Zagreb. Lewis Hall was an unused sub.

The teams contested a penalty shoot-out after the game as it finished in a draw, as practice for tournament football, England winning 4-3 and Soonsup-Bell among the scorers.