Johannesburg – Karim Benzema won his way back into the France national team thanks to his ability to compensate at Real Madrid – at least partially – for the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo, reports Goal.com
Since the Portugal international moved to Juventus in 2018, Benzema has enjoyed three of his best four seasons at Santiago Bernabeu. Indeed, with 87 strikes in 147 appearances, he has been the player that Los Blancos have turned to for goals.
Having seen the 32-year-old defy his ageing legs to rattle in 30 goals in 46 appearances for Madrid over the course of last season, France coach Didier Deschamps was compelled to offer the veteran forward a recall more than five years after his part in a sex-tape.
It was a return that was supposed to bring an additional dimension to the world champions, who had seen Olivier Giroud go through the whole of their successful tournament at the 2018 World Cup in Russia without even mustering a shot on target.
With Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe in support, even before Benzema had kicked a ball upon his return to the national side the attack was being hailed as the ‘Golden Triangle’.
Meanwhile, the news that Benzema was once again in the France fold was celebrated by a section of fans eager to see the Lyon-born attacker grace the national team.
Nike could not cope with the demand as shirts bearing his name quickly sold out in Paris and beyond.
One storekeeper commented: “There’s never been such a big request for a jersey of France since I opened the shop. It’s more than for Ronaldo’s top when he moved to Juventus. It’s unheard of.”
So far, though, the outcome has been far from gold standard.
France have scored just a single goal in each of their Euro 2020 games this summer – one an own goal from Germany’s Mats Hummels and the other a Griezmann strike after Mbappe punished the Hungary defence for allowing a long ball to bounce.
Benzema’s comeback has been no fairy tale, and as he prepares for a reunion with Ronaldo in Budapest when France and Portugal meet in the final Group F fixtures, he is a man under pressure. – Goal.com
Tuesday’s results:
Czech Republic 0-1 England
Croatia 3-1 Scotland
Today’s action:
Sweden vs Poland
Slovakia vs Spain
Portugal vs France
Germany vs Hungary
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