Benzema struggles to replicate Real Madrid form with France
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Karim Benzema’s return to the France team has not been as fruitful as Didier Deschamps may have expected in terms of goals scored, with the Real Madrid striker failing to replicate his Los Blancos form with Les Bleus.
After scoring as many as 30 goals across 46 games in all competitions for Real Madrid, Benzema was called up by Deschamps to join France for the first time in more than five years.
Benzema’s return brought enthusiasm to both his France teammates and the fans, who were excited to see the most powerful attacking trident in the continent in action ahead of the 2020 European Championship, as the Real Madrid striker was expected to form a strong partnership with Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann up front.
Deschamps didn’t hesitate to give Benzema the nod in his France’s first game following the 33-year-old’s comeback. Benzema started against Wales but failed to get his name on the scoresheet as he missed a penalty kick in France’s 3-0 victory.
The French striker was included in the starting line-up for the following game against Bulgaria but had to be replaced after picking up a minor injury, one which made his presence in the Euro 2020 opener with Germany seem doubtful.
Benzema recovered in time for the match in Munich and started alongside Mbappe and Griezmann in attack, but he failed to hit the back of the net in yet another game.
Les Blues grabbed a 1-0 victory over Joachim Low’s side but didn’t manage to overcome Hungary at the Puskas Arena in their second Euro 2020 match. France dominated the ball from the off, with Benzema squandering a huge chance to give Les Blues the lead early in the game.
Hungary netted on the counter just before the break and, although Griezmann equalised in the second half, France failed to complete a comeback, with Benzema being replaced by Olivier Giroud with 14 minutes to go.
In their pursuit of the 2020 European Championship trophy, France need Benzema to rediscover his Real Madrid form and it remains to be seen whether he will manage to do so in the remaining games.