By Goal.com News on Tuesday, 08 June 2021
Category: Goal.com News

LIVE: France vs Bulgaria

70' Can Deschamps do as a coach what he did as a player? The French boss captained Les Bleus to glory at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. How he would love to follow suit from the touchline and guide the reigning World champions to another double next month.

68' Digne is well-found in space down the left flank. The Everton full-back unleashes a powerful strike, but it is straight at the goalkeeper.

66' Dembele quickly into the action as he demonstrates wonderful vision to pick out Mbappe. The PSG forward goes to give the goalkeeper the eyes, but drags his shot wide of the target.

64' Mbappe tries his luck again from outside the area. However, his attempt is straight down the throat of Naumov, who gathers.

62' Bulgaria finished fourth at the 1994 World Cup in America; beating Argentina and Germany along the way. They will hope it is not too long before those glory days can return, although they seem a world away at the moment.

60' Of course, Bulgaria know what it takes to beat France. They infamously did the double during the 1994 World Cup qualifying campaign; Emil Kostadinov's last-minute strike in Paris sealed a 2-1 win for the Lions and saw them qualify at the expense of the French.

56' Danger for the visitors as Mbappe looks to play a swift one-two with Giroud on the edge of the box. However, they just about manage to scramble the ball away on this occasion.

54' Can Bulgaria turn things around and end their wretched run on the road? The Lions are without a win in their last 13 away games, seven of which have resulted in defeats. You must go back to a 2-1 success against Slovenia in September 2018 for their last victory away from home.

51' A rare lapse in concentration by Naumov, whose attempted punch from a cross goes straight to Mbappe. However, Turitsov is quickly out to block the forward's shot.

49' Good effort! Mbappe looks for the far corner with a curling effort from just inside the box, but Naumov punches it away to safety.

46' Bulgaria get the ball rolling and we're back underway in Paris.

Very much on the back foot during that first half, all hope is not lost for Bulgaria yet. But they know they must take any chances that fall their way upon the resumption of the contest.

Antoine Griezmann's deflected volley separates the sides at half-time. France are thoroughly deserving of their lead following a purposeful start to the contest, and will look to build on that after the break.

45' + 3' HALF-TIME: FRANCE 1-0 BULGARIA

45' + 1' There will be a minimum of two additional minutes at the end of this first half.

44' Good save again! A first opportunity for Giroud to shoot. The Chelsea striker unleashes a powerful effort across goal, but Naumov is equal to it with strong wrists.

43' Mbappe sustained a bloody nose during that collision, but is waved back onto the field after receiving the required treatment.

42' The French medical team are quickly called into action again. This time, after Mbappe takes an accidental whack to the face. He is just being patched up and should soon be back out there.

40' WHAT A SAVE! France break with pace as Mbappe chases a long ball. Griezmann makes up brilliant ground to receive a perfectly timed pass, but he is somehow denied by Naumov.

37' A slight concern for France as Benzema receives strapping around his right knee. The Real Madrid forward picked up a knock earlier, but hopefully it is nothing too serious.

35' The goal was also Griezmann's fourth in France's last five games. Fair to say the Barcelona forward is hitting form at exactly the right time heading into the Euros.

33' That was Griezmann's 37th international goal in 91 appearances. Currently fourth on his country's all-time list, only Michel Platini, Olivier Giroud and Thierry Henry boast more strikes for Les Bleus.

31' The hosts go in search of a second in quick succession. Pavard hangs a cross towards the far post, where Benzema arrives late but is unable to steer his header on target.

27' BRILLIANT SAVE! Mbappe bursts into life inside the Bulgaria box as he races onto Benzema's reverse pass. However, he is somehow denied by wonderful reflexes from Naumov.

25' A chance for Bulgaria? They are fortunate to be awarded a free-kick as Varane is harshly penalised for a foul on Despodov. The subsequent free-kick is deflected behind for a corner.

23' France still seeking the breakthrough as we pass the midway point in this first half. However, it is more a case of when they get that first goal rather than if.

21' It may have been almost six years since Benzema's last apperances for France, but you would not know given the way he has seamlessly settled back into the side. Mind, it would be difficult not to with the bundles of talent in this French team.

19' Unlucky! A delightful lofted ball from Pogba picks out Benzema in the box. Although, the angle is tight and the Real Madrid forward is unable to keep his volley down.

18' You can probably count on one hand the number of times that Bulgaria have progressed beyond the halfway line in this game. That just demonstrates the authorative start that France have made.

16' Having lifted the Henri Delauney trophy in 1984 and 2000, Les Bleus are targeting a third European crown this year. That would move them level with Spain and Germany at the top of the list.

14' The confidence of the French is evident. After all, they have won each of their last three games, keeping a clean sheet on each occasion.

12' Good save! France continue to apply the pressure and Naumov is called into action. The Bulgaria stopper gets down well to block Mbappe's low strike on goal.

11' A sight on goal for Benzema. Seeking his first international strike in nearly six years, the Real Madrid forward works the ball onto his left foot. However, he drags his effort wide.

10' Bulgaria will be very aware that their chances of taking anything from this game are very slim. After all, the Lions have won just two of their last 27 matches.

8' A slight break in play after Iliev takes an accidental arm to the back of the head from Varane. The Bulgaria midfielder is soon back on his feet, but the brief pause enables the visitors to regroup and get their feet on the ball.

6' Nothing came of the free-kick but the hosts do not take their feet off the gas. A neat one-two inside the box almost presents Kante with an opportunity, but the Chelsea midfielder is quickly charged down.

4' France continue to threaten with a neat exchange around the Bulgaria box. The visitors clear but the danger is not over as Mbappe is brought down and the hosts have a free-kick in a dangerous position.

2' Mbappe quickly involved as he is found in the penalty area. Although he is shown onto his left foot, the Paris Saint-Germain forward gets a shot away, but the ball flashes across the face of goal and out for a throw-in.

1' The referee blows his whistle and France kick things off.

The teams are coming out onto the field and will now observe the national anthems.

With just one defeat in their last 19 games, France will be red-hot favourites against a Bulgaria side that are without a win in seven.

As for Bulgaria, Yasen Petrov makes six changes to the side that were beaten by Russia on Saturday. Among them, Daniel Naumov replaces Ivan Karadzhov in goal, while there are also recalls for the likes of Vasil Bozhikov, Ilian Iliev and Bozhidar Kraev.

Didier Deschamps makes just a single change to the side that began France's 3-0 win over Wales last week. Following his Champions League final exploits with Chelsea, N'Golo Kante returns to the side and replaces Adrien Rabiot in midfield. Once again, Karim Benzema partners Kylian Mbappe up front with Antoine Griezmann pulling the strings just behind.

SUBS: Nikolay Mihaylov, Antonio Vutov, Petar Vitanov, Lachezar Kotev, Andrej Galabinov, Yanis Karabelyov, Birsent Karagaren, Andrea Hristov, Georgi Minchev, Dimitar Iliev, Momchil Tsvetanov, Ivan Karadzhov.

BULGARIA (4-4-2): Daniel Naumov; Ivan Turitsov, Petko Hristov, Valentin Antov, Vasil Bozhikov; Ilian Iliev, Ivaylo Chochev, Bozhidar Kraev, Dominik Yankov; Atanas Iliev, Kiril Despodov.

SUBS: Steve Mandanda, Lucas Digne, Wissam Ben Yedder, Clement Lenglet, Ousmane Dembele, Kurt Zouma, Thomas Lemar, Moussa Sissoko, Leo Dubois, Jules Kounde, Olivier Giroud, Mike Maignan.

FRANCE (4-3-1-2): Hugo Lloris; Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane, Presnel Kimpembe, Lucas Hernandez; Corentin Tolisso, N'Golo Kante, Paul Pogba; Antoine Griezmann; Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe.

This is France's final warm-up game before Euro 2020 and Les Bleus will be eager to build some momentum ahead of their opening group match against Germany next week.

Hello and a warm welcome to everyone joining us for today's international friendly between France and Bulgaria at Stade de France.

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