Denmark stun France in UEFA nations league despite Karim Benzema’s wonder goal
Baku, June 4, AZERTAC
France began their UEFA Nations League title defence on a losing note as Denmark stunned them in Paris in a match played on Friday night, according to Sports Brief.
Karim Benzema sent football into a frenzy with a well-taken goal against Denmark in the UEFA Nations League. Benzema danced through the Danish defence, leaving defenders in his wake, to score a superb solo goal in the 51st minute. That goal was however in vain as Andreas Cornelius came off the bench to score twice and condemn the defending World Cup champions to a 2-1 defeat at home.
The in-form Benzema needed help from Christopher Nkunku who returned a 1-2 pass with a neat backheel. Benzema then dribbled past the Denmark defenders before slotting the ball past Kasper Schmeichel.
Denmark started the better of the two sides with Joakim Maehle coming close to opening the scoring in the fourth minute. But France grew into the game with Benzema being the focal point of their attack. Les Bleus were unlucky to lose Kylian Mbappe to injury. The Paris Saint-Germain star went down unchallenged in stoppage time of the first half. He was replaced by Cristopher Nkunku who wasted no time in settling in to set up Benzema. Kasper Hjulmand made some changes that turned around the game on its head. Andreas Cornelius and Mikel Damsgaard came on at the hour mark. Cornelius latched onto a wonderful ball by Pierre-Emille Hojbjerg to equalize for the Danes.
He then beat the offside trap a few minutes later to send in a ferocious shot that left Hugo Lloris with no chance in the French goal.
France were missing their head coach Didier Deschamps who is away mourning the passing on of his father. They will now regroup and face Croatia twice and Austria as they hope to get their campaign back on track.
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