Karim Benzema suffers ‘knock’ to knee, exits France friendly vs. Bulgaria

Forward Karim Benzema was substituted after suffering a knee injury in the first half of France’s 3-0 win over Bulgaria in their final Euro 2020 warm-up game.

– The most iconic moments in Euro history- Euro 2020 of kits! Every team’s home and away jerseys ranked

The Real Madrid striker came off four minutes before halftime having seemed to land awkwardly following a header. Olivier Giroud came on for Benzema at half-time, making the most of his time on the pitch by his 45th and 46th international goals late in the game.

“It’s a knock on the knee, which also affects the muscle. He felt he was getting stiff so he asked to be subbed,” coach Didier Deschamps told TF1 regarding Benzema’s injury. “The medical staff are taking care of him.”

Benzema, who last week made his comeback with France after not playing for the national team for more than five years for a blackmail scandal over which he faces a trial in October, stayed on the bench after being tended to by the world champions’ medical staff.

Antoine Griezmann netted a bicycle kick for the team’s first goal in front of 5,000 fans at Stade de France.