Image Courtesy: francefootball.fr
France’s euro rehearsals ended up 3-0 against Bulgaria with a minute 29′ stunning bicycle kick opener by Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann and a brace from Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud in the second half, but an injury to the Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema just a week before Euro 2020 kickoff forced him to exit the game early.
Karim Benzema was finally back for the national side after almost six years and this was not something anyone wanted to see after a long hiatus. The striker was forced off due to an injury in 37 minutes of their final friendly with Bulgaria which was just his second game for France since 2015. French coaching staff told Carine Galli at the pitch side that, it seemed the forward received a “knock” and it wasn’t anything serious. “He took a good hit on the muscle above the knee and he felt some discomfort so we took no risk. The medical staff is with him”, told Didier Deschamps, french manager.
France will kickoff their Group stage campaign in Euro 2020 against Germany on June 15, whereas they will face Hungary and Portugal on June 19 and June 24 respectively.
Antoine Griezmann gave a stunning lead to France through his bicycle kick which took a deflection on its way past Daniel Naumov. He has now scored in his last three matches heading with Les Bleus in a great form. He went off in the second half and got replaced by his club teammate Ousmane Dembélé.
Giroud came in and striked a brace in the second half at minute 83′ and 90′. He has now scored 46 goals for the nation, only five behind Les Blues’ all time leading goal scorer Thierry Henry.
France head into the Euros as one of the favourites to win the tournament and will take over the Germans next.