Ruthless Lewandowski piles on pain for Enrique
DIDIER DESCHAMPS has backed Karim Benzema to break his goal drought and vindicate the striker’s controversial selection in France’s squad.
Benzema fluffed his lines as Les Bleus missed the opportunity to secure early qualification for the knockout stage when held to a 1-1 draw by Hungary in sweltering conditions on Saturday.
It left the striker still searching for a first goal in nearly six years after returning to the international fold this month.
“Karim has a huge amount of experience under his belt so I don’t think he is doubting himself,” said the France boss (above), who recalled the striker from the international wilderness.
Net
“But it is true that he hasn’t yet been able to find the back of the net.
“It was the same for the friendly games and against Hungary but he has enough experience to not be put off by this.
“He knows there are expectations and, obviously, we want forwards to score. But he has my trust.”
SPAIN face an embarrassing exit from the Euros after Robert Lewandowski blew a massive hole in their qualification hopes.
They now have a mustwin game against Slovakia on Wednesday to stay in to competition.
Despite the advantage of group ‘home’ games in Seville, the Spanish are still looking for their first win.
Lewandowski did what he does better than almost anyone in the world on
Talent
And despite boasting Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, France have managed just two tournament goals ahead of their final match of Group F on Wednesday.
“There’s room for improvement,” said Deschamps. “We have quality and we can build on it but despite their talent they don’t play often together.”
France struggled in
30- degree heat in Budapest against spirited opponents who took the lead through Attila Fiola only for Greizmann to level in the second half.
A point kept Marco Rossi’s side’s hopes of reaching the last 16 alive when they face Germany in Munich on Wednesday where they need to win.
France, meanwhile, now require just a point against Portugal on Wednesday to guarantee a place in the knockout stages of the competition.
Saturday to leave Luis Enrique’s three-time winners staring at the abyss.
Message
Spain defender Pau Torres said: “This was painful but the message to everyone is just keep believing.”
BRUNO FERNANDES will be hoping to repeat his Euro 2016 victory celebration when Portugal face France for a place in the knockout stage.
The Manchester United star was on a pre-season training camp with Udinese when Eder’s stoppage-time goal crowned Portugal kings of Europe at the expense of France five years ago.
Fernandes, who nervously watched the final alone in his room, did a v ictory charge through the team hotel to celebrate the greatest moment in Portugal’s football history.
On Wednesday Portugal and France meet again, for a place in the last 16, with Group F — the so-called Group of Death — thrown wide open after Saturday’s results.
Germany’s 4-2 win over Portugal and France’s 1-1 draw with Hungary means all four teams still have a chance of going through to the knockout stage.
In Budapest, Fernandes will be hoping for the same feeling of elation he experienced when Portugal lifted the trophy by beating Didier Deschamps’ side on home soil in Paris.
Under- fire boss Enrique added: “Nobody said it would be easy.”
Poland went into the game knowing defeat would put them out but when Bayern Munich goalmachine Lewandowski equalised shortly after halftime it was game on.
Never mind flying home, the 32-year- old firmly believes they will go through, saying: “We won’t be favourites against Sweden but we are ready to
“I was at Udinese, at a hotel during our pre-season training camp, with two or three French players,” said Fernandes, who was 21 at the time.
“They watched the game in the meeting room, because there’s usually a bigger screen there. I decided to stay in my room, to suffer alone.
Players
“I was wearing my Portugal shirt, and I had a bet with one of the French players that, at the end of the game, whoever lost would post a photo on their social media of the winner.
“Lots of people were already knock
DE-PRESSED: Fernandes admits the German pressing was key to their win fight and we will believe.”
It all looked to be going to plan for Spain when Alvaro Morata shut up his critics with a 25th- minute goal.
Embrace
He raced to the sidelines to embrace boss Enrique and give fans calling for him to be dropped food for thought. His redemption didn’t last long.
Lewandowski equalised with a superb towering header for his 67th international goal, brushing Aymeric Laporte aside.
Spain were stunned but quickly handed the chance to restore their lead.
Jakub Moder trod on Gerard Moreno’s ankle and, after checking the monitor, referee Daniele Orsato pointed to the spot.
It was gift-wrapped for Spain but Moreno crashed his spot- kick against a post and when it came back to Morata, he missed.
NET BENEFITS: Germany forward Kai Havertz celebrates with Portugal all at sea