Karim Benzema has revealed he asked Kylian Mbappe to take France s penalty against Belgium in Thursday s Nations League semi-final so his team-mate could banish the memories of missing from the spot at Euro 2020.
Mbappe missed the crucial kick in France s shoot-out defeat to Switzerland in June s Euro 2020 last-16 tie as Les Blues suffered a shock early exit from a tournament they were deemed favourites to win.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward made no mistake from 12 yards against Belgium, though, thumping the ball into the top-right corner to level things up before Theo Hernandez s late winner set up a showdown with Spain in Sunday s final.
Benzema started France s comeback from two goals down and the Real Madrid striker was more than happy to let Mbappe take the penalty at the Allianz Stadium.
We are both players who take penalties, he told M6. I wanted him to take this one so I gave him the ball. I really wanted him to score.
After what happened at the Euros, it s been erased. On the pitch I try to make my team-mates better every time I play.
On est en Finale de la Nations League après un match complètement fou !!!
— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance)
Benzema was named on the 30-man shortlist for the 2021 Ballon d Or award on Friday after an impressive year that saw him impress for Madrid and make a surprise international comeback with France.
And fellow France forward Antoine Griezmann hailed his team-mate for the form he has shown for club and country.
He gets the ball and puts it in the net, Griezmann told M6. I tell him, when you play like that, you re just too strong for others .
It s awesome to watch him play, to see Karim at this level. I hope he can continue this way for Sunday s final.
