FRANCE defeated Bulgaria 3-0 in their final warm-up match before Euro 2020.
But there’s been a scare for the world champions with striker Karim Benzema off injured just one week away from their first Euro match against Germany next Tuesday.
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France head to the Euros with two 3-0 friendly wins in the bag.
They weren’t particularly tested in either game against Wales or Bulgaria but you sense there’s so much more to come from Didier Deschamps’ men.
They may have a tricky group to contend with but the smart money would be on Les Bleus following up their World Cup success with European Championship glory.
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BENZEMA BOOST
France coach Didier Deschamps seems confident that the injury to Karim Benzema isn’t too serious.
The striker limped off in the first half at the Stade de France but should be okay by the time France face Germany in their opening Group D fixture at the Euros.
Deschamps said afterwards: “He took a good hit on the muscle above the [right] knee. We don’t want to take any risks.
“It’s a knock on the knee, which also affects the muscle. He felt he was getting stiff so he asked to be subbed.
“The medical staff are taking care of him.”
.Credit: AP FT: FRANCE 3-0 BULGARIA
France will have far sterner tests than this. They didn’t really need to break sweat to dispose of Bulgaria.
Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring in acrobatic style, before substitute Olivier Giroud bagged a late brace.
France keeper Hugo Lloris could have brought a book along so little was he tested.
If this was France in first gear, then they will surely be favourites for European Championship glory.
Germany, Hungary and Portugal await in the so-called group of death but the French will fear no one.
The only downside was an injury to Karim Benzema.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THE FINAL WHISTLE GOES!FRANCE 3-0 BULGARIA
90. Giroud at the double. Lemar slots Ben Yedder into space and his cross is guided home by Giroud.
GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL FRANCE!
FRANCE 2-0 BULGARIA
83. Giroud attacks the near post, sticks out a left foot and prods Pavard’s cross past Naumov. Mbappe and Tolisso trot off and make way for Sissoko and Ben Yedder.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLL FRANCE!
FRANCE 1-0 BULGARIA
80. Ooooh, chance there for Bulgaria. Karagaren ventures into the box but his shot goes through the legs of Varane and wide.
FRANCE 1-0 BULGARIA
78. First thing Varane has done wrong all evening as he climbs on top of a Bulgarian attacker to give away a free-kick.
FRANCE 1-0 BULGARIA
71. More changes for Bulgaria. Yankov is on for Hristov and Turitsov makes way for Karagaren.
FRANCE 1-0 BULGARIA
68. Digne opens up his body and lets fly. Naumov pushes it behind. File that one under ‘theatrical’.
FRANCE 1-0 BULGARIA
66. Dembele has an immediate impact, sliding a lovely ball through to Mbappe. He gives the keeper the eyes and shapes to curl his effort to the far corner but instead drags his shot wide of the near post.
FRANCE 1-0 BULGARIA
64. Mbappe has another shot from distance but it’s straight at the keeper. Pavard then has a go – from similar range to that goal against Argentina – but slices it wide. Kante makes way for Lemar and Griezmann is replaced by Dembele.
FRANCE 1-0 BULGARIA
58. Changes for the visitors. Minchev, Tsvetanov and Dimitar Illiev come on in place of Atanas Iliev, Kraev and Despodov. Vitanov replaced Chochev a few minutes earlier.
FRANCE 1-0 BULGARIA
56. Bulgaria win a corner. But the set-piece doesn’t beat the man at the near post and the danger is cleared. What a waste.
FRANCE 1-0 BULGARIA
49. Bulgaria stand off Mbappe and let him get a shot away. It’s punched clear by Naumov. Not the most conventional save but he kept it out.
FRANCE 1-0 BULGARIA
46. Lucas Digne has replaced Hernandez.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
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HT: FRANCE 1-0 BULGARIA
It’s been all too easy for France so far, but it took a moment of magic by Antoine Griezmann to break the deadlock.
Bulgaria have barely managed to get out of their own half and have been grateful to goalkeeper Daniel Naumov for several fine saves.
Most worryingly for France was the sight of Karim Benzema limping off towards the end of the first period with what looks like a knee injury.
FRANCE 1-0 BULGARIA
44. Giroud pulls the trigger with a fierce drive but Naumov pushes it away. Another good save from the Bulgarian stopper.
FRANCE 1-0 BULGARIA
41. France are down to 10 men while they wait to replace Benzema but should have increased their lead. Mbappe tees up Griezmann with just the keeper to beat but Naumov pulls off a wonderful save. Giroud is now on to win his 108th cap.
FRANCE 1-0 BULGARIA
38. Benzema drops to the floor and that’s his his game done. Hopefully that’s just a knock and not serious.
FRANCE 1-0 BULGARIA
37. That was Griezmann’s fourth goal in his last five games for France.
.Credit: AFP
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
