France 1-2 Denmark: Andreas Cornelius scores twice in comeback win in Paris

Denmark substitute Andreas Cornelius scored twice as they came from behind to beat holders France in the Nations League at the Stade de France.

Karim Benzema opened the scoring with a stunning effort, cutting in from the right wing before dummying his way past three defenders and slotting in.

Cornelius volleyed in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's ball over the top to level.

And the 60th-minute substitute won the game when he ran on to a long ball before firing in from a tight angle.

It was the first time the former Cardiff striker has scored twice in an international game.

Both sides had several chances in a lively opening game to group A1. In the first half Denmark's Joakim Maehle hit the outside of the post and Benzema had a goal disallowed for offside.

In between Cornelius' two goals, France's N'Golo Kante crashed a shot off the post and Denmark's Christian Eriksen forced a save from Hugo Lloris.

On a bad night for the defending champions, France lost Paris St-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe and Manchester United defender Raphael Varane to injury.

France boss Didier Deschamps missed the game following the death of his father during the week.

Should Benzema win Ballon d'Or?

The first game at the Stade de France since the controversial Champions League final between Benzema's Real Madrid and Liverpool thankfully passed without off-field incident.

Liverpool fans described heavy-handed policing, organisational chaos and overcrowding last Saturday - with Uefa apologising to fans caught up in the trouble.

Ralf Rangnick's Austria lead Group A1 after beating Croatia 3-0 in the other game.

Karim Benzema has scored 10 goals in 14 games for France after returning to the international fold last year

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

France

Formation 3-4-1-2

1Lloris
5KoundéSubstituted forDiabyat 90+2'minutes
4VaraneSubstituted forSalibaat 61'minutes
21Hernández
11ComanSubstituted forClaussat 90+2'minutes
13Kanté
8Tchouaméni
22Hernández
7GriezmannSubstituted forRabiotat 78'minutes
19Benzema
10MbappéSubstituted forNkunkuat 45'minutes

Substitutes

2Pavard
3Kimpembe
6Guendouzi
9Ben Yedder
12Nkunku
14Rabiot
15Clauss
16Maignan
17Saliba
18Digne
20Diaby
23Areola

Denmark

Formation 3-4-2-1

1Schmeichel
2Andersen
3VestergaardSubstituted forKristensenat 60'minutes
4NelssonBooked at 72mins
18WassSubstituted forDamsgaardat 60'minutes
8DelaneySubstituted forJensenat 85'minutes
23Højbjerg
5Maehle
11Skov OlsenSubstituted forBraithwaiteat 84'minutes
10Eriksen
12DolbergSubstituted forCorneliusat 60'minutes

Substitutes

6Boilesen
7Jensen
9Braithwaite
13Kristensen
14Damsgaard
15Billing
16Iversen
17Stryger Larsen
19Skov
20Poulsen
21Cornelius
22Vindahl

Referee:: Felix Zwayer
Attendance:: 75,833

Match Stats

Home TeamFranceAway TeamDenmark

Possession: Home60%; Away40%

Shots: Home19; Away8

Shots on Target: Home6; Away5

Corners: Home2; Away2

Fouls: Home8; Away8

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, France 1, Denmark 2.
90'+7'
Full Time
Second Half ends, France 1, Denmark 2.

90'+6'
Post update
Attempt missed. Jonathan Clauss (France) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Adrien Rabiot.
90'+2'
Substitution
Substitution, France. Jonathan Clauss replaces Kingsley Coman.
90'+2'
Substitution
Substitution, France. Moussa Diaby replaces Jules Koundé.
90'+1'
Post update
Foul by Adrien Rabiot (France).
90'+1'
Post update
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Denmark) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'
Post update
Attempt saved. Adrien Rabiot (France) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Jules Koundé with a cross.
88'
Goal!
Goal! France 1, Denmark 2. Andreas Cornelius (Denmark) left footed shot from the left side of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Joakim Maehle with a through ball.
86'
Post update
Attempt saved. Christian Eriksen (Denmark) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Mikkel Damsgaard with a through ball.
85'
Substitution
Substitution, Denmark. Mathias Jensen replaces Thomas Delaney.
84'
Post update
Foul by N'Golo Kanté (France).
84'
Post update
Mikkel Damsgaard (Denmark) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
84'
Substitution
Substitution, Denmark. Martin Braithwaite replaces Andreas Skov Olsen.
82'
Post update
Attempt saved. Christopher Nkunku (France) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Jules Koundé.
80'
Post update
Attempt missed. Christopher Nkunku (France) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right.
80'
Post update
N'Golo Kanté (France) hits the right post with a right footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Theo Hernández.
78'
Substitution
Substitution, France. Adrien Rabiot replaces Antoine Griezmann.
77'
Post update
Foul by Jules Koundé (France).
77'
Post update
Mikkel Damsgaard (Denmark) wins a free kick in the defensive half.