Raising their game, France took the lead ten minutes before the break, Antoine Griezmann exchanging passes with Benzema before firing a right-footed shot through Kasparov’s legs for his first worldwide goal in 11 months.
Advertisement
However, France finally made their dominance pay in the 35th minute, Griezmann combining once again with Benzema before powering in a venomous finish from close-range. The Crystal Palace man turned up on the edge of the area to accept the excellent Mathieu Valbuena’s squared ball and lash a dipping shot inside the far post (55′) to make it 2-0 with the fourth goal of his career in Bleu as France made sure their dominance was reflected on the scoreboard.
Benzema’s 26th and 27th goals with France sealed Didier Deschamps’s third consecutive win.
“Benzema has felt a few great discomfort behind the thigh, [that’s why] we take him off straight away”, French manager Didier Deschamps said after the match, per Soccerway.
Benzema was replaced by Olivier Giroud two minutes later, holding his thigh as he limped off the pitch. Like in the past, a great French national team essentially needs a great collective.
The 27-year-old striker is regarded as one of the France’s most important players and he will be tasked with scoring the goals to fire them to European Championship glory on home soil next summer.
“I hope that it is nothing serious but we don’t know yet”.
France, who qualified automatically as hosts of Euro 2016, are at home to Armenia in a friendly on Thursday.
Advertisement
France are already without Paul Pogba for their upcoming friendly against Denmark, per ESPN FC, so losing Benzema for that match would leave them without two of their biggest stars. Thus, these friendlies give the team the opportunity to tweak the lineup and tactics.
