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.
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.
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
Live Text
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Match ends, France 1, Denmark 2.
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Second Half ends, France 1, Denmark 2.
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Attempt missed. Jonathan Clauss (France) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Adrien Rabiot.
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Substitution, France. Jonathan Clauss replaces Kingsley Coman.
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Substitution, France. Moussa Diaby replaces Jules Koundé.
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Foul by Adrien Rabiot (France).
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Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Denmark) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt saved. Adrien Rabiot (France) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jules Koundé with a cross.
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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.
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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.
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Substitution, Denmark. Mathias Jensen replaces Thomas Delaney.
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Foul by N’Golo Kanté (France).
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Mikkel Damsgaard (Denmark) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution, Denmark. Martin Braithwaite replaces Andreas Skov Olsen.
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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.
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Attempt missed. Christopher Nkunku (France) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right.
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N’Golo Kanté (France) hits the right post with a right footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Theo Hernández.
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Substitution, France. Adrien Rabiot replaces Antoine Griezmann.
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Foul by Jules Koundé (France).
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Mikkel Damsgaard (Denmark) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
