Kylian Mbappe scored one and assisted one for France against Australia (Twitter/@FIFAWorldCup)France vs Australia, Group D, FIFA World Cup 2022: Make way for the world champions. France began their title defence in a Group D meeting against Australia, beating the Socceroos 4-1 in an emphatic display. Olivier Giroud scored two to equal Thierry Henry as France’s highest goalscorer, with Kylian Mbappe and Adrien Rabiot rounding out the result. Quite the day, with Saudi Arabia registering a 2-1 win over Argentina and Tunisia holding Denmark at a 0-0 draw.
Argentina vs Saudi Arabia Match Result: Saudi Arabia produced one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history to beat Argentina 2-1 in their Group C opener with goals by Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari stunning the favourites on Tuesday. The 51st-ranked Saudis were trailing to Lionel Messi’s 10th minute penalty, but Al-Shehri squeezed in an angled shot in the 48th minute after punishing poor Argentine defending.
France vs Australia Line-ups
France XI: Lloris; Pavard, Upamecano, Konate, Lucas Hernandez; Rabiot, Tchouameni; Mbappe, Griezmann, Dembele; Giroud.
Australia XI: Ryan; Behich, Rowels, Souttar, Atkinson; Irvine, Mooy, McGree; Goodwin, Duke, Leckie.
Mbappe, in particular, has been in the eye of the storm since missing that fateful penalty against Switzerland that knocked France out of Euro 2020. (Photo: Reuters)
Despite Giroud's brace, Mbappe was still the best player of the match.
A mercurial display topped off with a goal, Mbappe was a crucial reason why all of France's attacking threat came from their left channel. He took players on and beat them, brought his teammates into the game, and much like 2018, he is a major cog of Deschamps' transition-based system.
He has now scored 12 goals in 11 appearances for France, and has more World Cup goals than Zinedine Zidane and Michel Platini. One of the world's best, thriving on the game's biggest stage.
Things were far from perfect for France, losing key players to injury and seeing off-field controversies dominate the buildup to their title defence. But, despite going one goal down, the French have been emphatic in their response, playing with fluidity in their front line, and staying true to many of the things that worked for them in 2018.
Denmark and Tunisia's goalless draw will also boost their chances to top the group now.
A perfect start, becoming the first team since 2002 to get their World Cup title-defence off to a winning start.
FRA 4-1 AUS.
The experienced campaigner picks up a needless booking, showing just how frustrated the Australians would be after going 1-0 up in eight minutes.
FRA 4-1 AUS.
France's oldest player at a World Cup, at 36, Giroud comes off to a huge round of applause on a record-equalling night.
Elsewhere, Konate was stopped by an acrobatic save from Ryan to give France a fifth, heading in from a corner unmarked.
FRA 4-1 AUS.
Loose touch from Mbappe, after a brilliant run was found by a teasing pass from Griezmann, takes away a golden opportunity for him to get a second, and France a fifth.
FRA 4-1 AUS.
Australia seeing more of the ball, mostly unopposed by Les Bleus, keen to sit back and conserve energy and latch onto a mistake.
FRA 4-1 AUS.
Incredible World Cup debut for the 22-year-old. Near perfect performance as he is replaced by Seko Fofana, Kingsley Coman also on for Dembele.
51st goal for Giroud. Becomes France's joint highest-scorer with Thierry Henry.
Emotional scenes as Giroud heads in an Mbappe cross and lays on to the field, hands covering his face.
It was Mbappe again on the left side, wreaking havoc, beating his man, and putting in a well-weighted ball.
FRA 4-1 AUS.
Brilliant header from the 23-year-old.
Dembele collects a stray ball down the right, cuts into his left foot, puts a quick cross in met by Mbappe, in off the post.
The chance came shortly after incredible defensive work from Behich saw Griezmann's shot cleared off the line. France merit their third.
FRA 3-1 AUS.
Great interplay between France's forward players. Mbappe linked up with Giroud, playing a one-two off a flick form the striker to get in behind before seeing his shot blocked for a corner. That's how quickly France can turn it on.
FRA 2-1 AUS.
The game's tempo has slowed down considerably in the second half, France controlling things by moving the ball around and forcing Australia out of shape to craft a chance.
It was a wild one on Dembele, sliding in after losing the ball and catching his ankle. Socceroos looking frustrated.
FRA 2-1 AUS.
An outrageous effort that nearly connected.
France continue to see a lot of joy down the left, Hernandez first teases a ball in which deflects to Tchouameni, whose effort from the edge of the box is blocked.
Few minutes later he flots one in behind Giroud, who acrobatically goes for the bicycle, but does not find the full connection he was seeking. Would have been aN instantly classic World Cup moment.
FRA 2-1 AUS.
Can Australia claw their way back into a game they once led?
FRA 2-1 AUS.
A look at Aurelien Tchouameni an you can hardly tell it is a 22-yer-old playing his first major international competition, for the world champions no less. He has effotlessly glided as the anchor between defence and France's plentiful forward options, dribbled through opposition pressure, passed smartly and boldly, all while winning aerial duels and tackles too.
With him in the side, France don't miss the presence of N'Golo Kante quite as much. No wonder Real Madrid shelled out nearly €100 million for him in the summer.
Ever since the injury-induced introduction of Theo Hernandez, France have had a field day down their left channel, getting overlaps going, and using Mbappe's pace and dribbling skills to open up space for his teammates. Both goals, and many chances, came from that channel.
Australia need to tighten up that side of their defence, maybe with an extra body, or help from right winger Leckie.
Australia's opening goal seems a distant while in the past now, as ever since France have equalised, they have dominated proceedings. Two goals from Rabiot and Giroud but they very well could have had more. They go into the break in the lead, but given Australia's injury time chance, the game is not a foregone conclusion yet.
FRA 2-1 AUS.
Out of nowhere, Australia nearly equalise!
Irvine was found by a deflected crossed, he scuffed his header, and Lloris stood still thinking it was going wide, as it hit the post and went out. Big scare.
FRA 2-1 AUS.
Griezmann is found by Upamecano with a brilliant diagonal, he drives in and plays Mbappe, who misses from point blank range. France should have another.
FRA 2-1 AUS.
This time it is Griezmann. France winn the ball high up the pitch and find him at the edge of the box, his grounded strike goes just by the right post.
FRA 2-1 AUS.
Champagne football from France.
A well worked move starting from the back sees Mbappe drive into the left channel and put a ball into the box, seeing Dembele's run, who skied a bouncing ball. Football of champions.
FRA 2-1 AUS.
France have come alive in this game, now moving the ball swiftly and keeping plenty of meaningful possession.
Dembele's run down the right and cross sees the ball reach Giroud, who took a bouncing ball on his weaker right foot and skied it.
Ominous for the Aussies now.
FRA 2-1 AUS.
Goal #50 for Les Bleus, it's Olivier Giroud!
Brilliant pressing work from Rabiot, who pinches the ball down the left channel, gets a flick from Mbappe, drives in and sets up Giroud for an open goal, who was never missing that. France are alive and going now.
FRA 2-1 AUS.
This time it's Griezmann, again from that left channel, putting in a brilliant delivery into the box, met by Giroud with a leaping header that goes wide. He may have been offside, but France are finding a lot of joy down the left.
FRA 1-1 AUS.
Brilliant delivery from Hernandez - on in place of his injured brother at left-back - who put a teasing cross in for Rabiot to head home. Well worked, and France back in it.
FRA 1-1 AUS.
Australia with the next closest chance, after Duke latched onto a stray pass from Hernandez and sees his long range attempt fly just past Lloris above the bar. Not a great chance, but a scare, as Australia move into a rigid 4-5-1 and look for the French mistake.
France like to set up on the counter attack, rely on the pace of their attackers, and win the game in moments.
Despite conceding, they still only have less than half (48%) possession in the opening 20.
They have opened a higher line, and looked threatening at times, but they'll need to hold more of the ball to force the issue.
FRA 0-1 AUS.
Mbappe playing in the inside left channel, Hernandez overlapping, and Griezmann moving into that space. The left-hand side, mainly thanks to Mbappe, is looking most likely to cause the Aussies trouble.
France are shaken by that early goal but are showing positive signs since.
French left back Lucas Hernandez went down in the buildup to the goal, and he is not looking good on the sidelines.
Les Bleus looked to react immediately as Mbappe drove into the box and put in a cross. Australia dealt with that, and the subsequent corner, with ease.
FRA 0-1 AUS
Upset alert!
France concede from a rapid transition, it's Goodwin! Brilliant cross-field from the defence diagonal into Leckie, who played in a brilliant cross into the box, and Goodwin fires into the top right corner. What a start.
Kylian Mbappe has been lively so far, showing why he is one of the best in the world. He received the ball wide left, where he has started this tie off, and beat a few before running into traffic in Australia's box. Mercurial.
Jury's still out on figuring out France's sytsem, with so many wide players on the pitch. The football has been good to start with, some early pressure leading to a corner, dilligently cleared by the Socceroos.
France get their title defence started, against the same team they faced in their first match in 2018. Here we go!
Can Australia pull off a similar upset to Saudi Arabia's 2-1 win over Argentina? Can France kickstart their title defence with a win, despite all the injuries and drama in the buildup? We'll find out shortly.
According to The Guardian, the German football federation has knocked on the doors of CAS on validity of Fifa not allowing the 'OneLove' armband. They came to this decision after one of its sponsors pulled out.
An in-form Denmark side could have created problems for France in this group, putting their chances of topping it into jeopardy. Their goalless draw against Tunisia boosted their hopes, a win against Australia would put them in a commanding position.To know more about the teams and scenarios of Group D at the FIFA World Cup, click here.
Les Bleus’ have a chance to become the only team after Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups. But the last three world champions have exited at the group stage. With injuries and off-field controversies fracturing their build-up, can Didier Deschamps' side break the 'Champions' Curse' to get their title-defence off to a solid start. (READ MORE)
World Cup debuts all around for an injury-ridden French side. Perhaps most notably, they have gone with four attackers, with Adrien Rabiot - who has had an indifferent few years at Juventus - alongside Aurelien Tchouameni.
Kamil Glick ships a ball in the face from close range and is flattened. Play is stopped so he can receive treatment. The fourth official indicates a total of seven minutes of time added on.
MEX 0-0 POL
MEX 0-0 POL
An ambitious attempt from Alexis Vega, who has a go on the volley from outside the box but it flies high and wide of the Poland goal. We're moving towards another goalless draw by the looks of it.
MEX 0-0 POL
Just on as a substitute, Frankowski gets a well deserved booking for a foul on Hirving Lozano. The Mexican isn't satisfied with just the one booking as minutes later, Bartosz Bereszynski catches him on the ankle and the very unhappy Mexican, asks the referee why he hasn’t booked the Polish defender.
MEX 0-0 POL
Mexico double substitution: Carlos Rodriguez and Raul Jimenez on for Hector Herrera and Henry Martin.
Poland substitution: Przemyslaw Frankowski on for Sebastian Szymanski.
MEX 0-0 POL
Robert Lewandowski has found the net for Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, almost for fun, but nowhere would the Polish legend have faced the pressure as when he stepped up against veteran Mexican Guillermo Ochoa with his penalty kick. Lewandowski didn't have a World Cup goal to his name and one could almost feel the stress and tension the sharpshooter was under as he placed the ball on the spot and ran in for the shot. It wasn't his best attempt, for sure, not his most powerful or not in the extreme corner, but one has to hand it to Ochoa for making a brilliant diving save. That best explains the difference in stakes between World Cup football and even the most high-level club football.
MEX 0-0 POL
One may believe that Mexico have just won the World Cup on hearing their fans chant at Stadium 974. Robert Lewandwoski remains without a goal at a World Cup finals on his spectacular CV but only has himself to blame. He’ll never get a better chance than that to break his duck and looked disgusted with himself when Guillermo Ochoa saved his sub-par effort.
MEX 0-0 POL
One may believe that Mexico have just won the World Cup on hearing their fans chant at Stadium 974. Robert Lewandwoski remains without a goal at a World Cup finals on his spectacular CV but only has himself to blame. He’ll never get a better chance than that to break his duck and looked disgusted with himself when Guillermo Ochoa saved his sub-par effort.
MEX 0-0 POL
Possible penalty check for a foul on Robert Lewandowski. 50-50 here really, but the referee is now heading to the pitchside monitor to get a better look at it. AND HE'S GIVEN IT!
MEX 0-0 POL
Poland get a free-kick wide on the left. Piotr Zielinski’s delivers into the Mexico box but the shot taken is overhit and sails wide. They've missed the quality up front so far.
MEX 0-0 POL
Nicola Zalewski for Krystian Bielik on the left flank as Poland make their first substitution going into the second half.
MEX 0-0 POL
Robert Lewandwoski has had just the one touch in the Mexico penalty box. In his last three World Cup games, the Polish captain had registered nine touches in the area. The Barcelona forward hasn't been able to manouevre spaces the way he's used to. Does he need to drop back to collect the ball and create something himself? Or as Wayne Rooney just suggested on Jio Cinema, perhaps the team need to drive on counter attacking strategy, inviting more pressure and then moving on the break.
MEX 0-0 POL
Goalless at the break. Mexico have been on top, though. Nothing from Robert Lewandowski. He's been invisible.
Lozano is brought down as he bursts into the Poland box, and he wants a free kick. None is given, but the ball rolls to the onrushing Sanchez, who blasts a shot at goal. Szczesny reacts well to tip the ball over the crossbar!
Mexico and Poland’s chances of progressing from Group C are almost identical following Argentina’s surprise defeat by Saudi Arabia, according to analytics firm Opta.
Both sides now have a 49 percent chance of progressing to the knockout phase, OPTA said after Tuesday’s opening game.
Again Mexico play a corner short, and it ends up being the wrong choice. They lose control as they try to work the ball across the edge of the Poland box, before losing possession altogether.
Lozano receives a whipped in delivery from the left side and sends in a quick pass to Vega from the right side of the box. Vega unfortunately ends up glancing it past the right upright. This was arguably one of Mexico’s closest chances at making Szczesny work just a touch.