Andreas Cornelius struck twice in the second half as France’s UEFA Nations League title defense began with a shock 2-1 loss to Denmark in Paris.
France led Karim Benzema to the Stade de France, the venue where he lifted the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid six days ago, but they could not see a victory.
Trabzonspor striker Cornelius opened the scoring equalizer after being introduced to the replacement bench and fired the winning goal two minutes before the shocking France, who lost Kylian Mbappe to injury in the first half.
Denmark joined Austria, who beat Croatia 3-0 elsewhere on Friday, top of Group A1.
The guests enjoyed an almost complete Qatar 2022 qualifying campaign, where they will meet France in the group stage, and get off to a good start in the tournament.
Kasper Dolberg came on behind the home defense in the first three minutes to pull off Joakim Maehle, who hit the outside of the post with an angle facing him.
France quickly grew into the game, with Benzema scoring a goal from midfielder Jannik Vestergaard and Kasper Schmeichel scoring a small goal past Kasper Schmeichel offside.
Mbappe was injured just before half-time and did not take part in the break, but the home team – which had no coach Didier Deschamps in the hole following his father’s death – did not take long to open the scoring in the second half. part.
Benzema played one-two with Mbappe’s substitute Christopher Nkunku, taking the ball past three opposing players and removing the ball from Schmeichel for 51 minutes.
Les Blues did not build on that lead, however, as successor Cornelius shone for the first time past Hugo Lloris in the 68th minute next to his boot after being spotted by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
N’Golo Kante hit the post with a curved effort, but it was Cornelius who had the final say in Paris by hitting something high on the roof of the net in Lloris nearby.
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