The veteran made quick work of equalising and putting Les Bleus ahead, if only for a while.
Karim Benzema’s return to the French national squad was one that pleased football fans everywhere, as the seasoned striker has often felt somewhat overlooked among the world’s best.
But whilst no one is doubting the ability of the big man, I’m not sure many thought he was capable of scoring two goals at the exact same time. Sort of….
Both of Benzema’s goals came on exactly 46 minutes and 44 seconds. How is that possible you may ask? Well the weird quirk of fate happened as the goals took place in separate halves.
Benzema bagged a penalty in stoppage time of the first half, smashing the ball past Rui Patricio to equalise for France, sending them into the break with the scores at 1-1.
Then, just 104 seconds into the seconds half, Benzema was played in on goal before confidently slotting past the Portuguese keeper once more, giving Les Bleus the lead this time.
So he scored on 46m44s in the first half. And then on 46m44sec in the second half.
This is one of the craziest things I've ever seen in Football.
Karim Benzema scored a goal in the first half during stoppage time with the clock at 46:44.
He then scores again in the second half… at 46:44.
He scored two goals at the exact same time to the second!#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/I32Eezw5QA
— JAKE BUCKLEY 🇦🇺 (@TheMasterBucks) June 24, 2021
Make a note of this, because it will be a pub quiz question across the land in the coming years.
The French couldn’t hold on to their lead against Portugal though, with Ronaldo scoring his second penalty of the game to equalise for his side. The pulsating game finished 2-2 and, after Germany’s late equaliser against Hungary, this was enough to see both sides progress out of the group.
France topped the group and will face Switzerland in the last 16, whilst Portugal sneaked through in third, setting up a mouth-watering tie with Belgium in the next round.
Of course, we all know what happened the last time Portugal qualified from their group as one of the best third-placed teams at a Euros.
As for the Germans? Well they’ve got a certain date at Wembley on Tuesday…
