UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Denmark beat France 2-1 – Andreas Cornelius struck twice in the second half as France’s Nations League title defence began with a shock 2-1 loss to Denmark in Paris at the Stade de France. Karim Benzema’s 50th goal of the season was not enough for the French outfit. Denmark join Austria, who beat Croatia 3-0 elsewhere on Friday, at the top of Group A1. Follow live updates with InsideSport.IN
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UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Denmark STUN title defenders France 2-1 at Stade de France, Substitute Cornelius scores a winning brace, Watch Denmark beat France HIGHLIGHTS
51′: France 1-0 Denmark
60′: Andreas Cornelius comes on
68′: Andreas Cornelius scores
88′: Andreas Cornelius scores
FT: France 1-2 DenmarkThe defending Nations League champions have lost their opening game…. at home. 😧 pic.twitter.com/EvXKkIjnkZ
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) June 3, 2022
UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Denmark STUN title defenders France
The visitors enjoyed a near-perfect campaign in qualifying for Qatar 2022, where they will meet France in the group stage, and started the brighter in this contest.
Kasper Dolberg got in behind the home defence inside the first three minutes and picked out Joakim Maehle, who hit the outside of the post with the angle against him.
France soon grew into the game, with Benzema having a goal-bound shot blocked by Jannik Vestergaard and a low strike past Kasper Schmeichel ruled out for offside.
Mbappe sustained an injury shortly before half-time and played no part after the break, but Didier Deschamps’ men did not require long to open the scoring in the second half.
UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Substitute Cornelius scored a winning brace
Benzema played a one-two with Mbappe’s replacement Christopher Nkunku, took the ball past three opposition players and slid the ball away from Schmeichel for the 51st-minute opener.
Les Blues did not build on that lead, however, as Cornelius flashed a first-time finish past Hugo Lloris in the 68th minute with the side of his boot after being spotted by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
N’Golo Kante hit the post with a curled effort, but it was Cornelius who had the final say in Paris with a thumping finish into the roof of the net at Lloris’ near post.
What’s next?
It’s the perfect start for Denmark in their Nations League campaign, as they get off to winning ways with an unexpected away victory. They’ll travel to Austria next as they look to make it two from two. For the hosts, defeat means they see their run of five straight victories ended and they’ll head into a trip to Croatia on Monday sitting third in the group.
UEFA Nations League 2022/23: Denmark STUN title defenders France 2-1 at Stade de France, Substitute Cornelius scores a winning brace, Watch Denmark beat France HIGHLIGHTS
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