France striker Karim Benzema was forced to take an early shower after limping off in Tuesday's friendly encounter between his side and Bulgaria. The 33-year-old striker lasted just 39 minutes on the field of play with what appeared to be an injury to his right knee forcing his substitution before the break.
Didier Deschamps' charges were involved in their final preparatory game ahead of the upcoming Euro 2020 with a Bulgarian side that had failed to secure qualification to the finals. Just as their star-studded roster will permit, the current World Cup holders named a very strong squad to take on the Lions inside Stade de France. Inside the partially-filled arena, Les Bleus opened the scoring through a spectacular overhead kick-goal by Antoine Griezmann in the 29th minute.
Ten minutes later, the hosts were handed a scare with Karim Benzema picking up an injury following a collision. The Real Madrid striker was featuring in his second game following his six-year exile from the national team and, in an attempt challenge for the ball in the air, appeared to have landed badly. He initially attempted to continue but later signalled the bench to be substituted. He was replaced with Olivier Giroud.
While the extent of Benzema's injury is yet to be known, it could present a worrying scenario for France with their Euro 2020 opener just around the corner. The finalists of the last edition of the tournament as set to take on Germany in Munich in their opening group encounter. Clashes with defending champions Portugal and Hungary will subsequently follow.
