This paper investigates the grid-forming matching control framework for voltage source converters, focusing on the challenges associated with practical implementations featuring cascaded control architectures and a back-to-back topology consisting of a grid-forming converter and an active front-end converter. In such systems, interactions between the DC-link voltage dynamics and the AC-side control loops can compromise damping and system stability. To address these challenges, a holistic control approach is proposed, including a systematic tuning methodology for the DC-link voltage controller, leveraging small-signal modeling and eigenvalue participation factors to place the dominant DC-link voltage modes at desired locations, thereby ensuring well-damped DC-link dynamics. In addition, a dedicated synchronization mechanism acting on the DC-link current is implemented to enable seamless grid connections. The proposed framework is validated by experimental results obtained on a laboratory test bench, demonstrating robust grid synchronization, stable active-power tracking, and well-damped DC-link voltage transients during setpoint changes.