FIFA World Cup: France defeat Australia 4-1
Defending champions France put on an attacking masterclass in their FIFA World Cup opener on Tuesday, 22 November. Playing at the Al Janoub Stadium, France ran riot against Australia in their group stage game to seal a 4-1 win in the Group D encounter.
Things did not always look this way though as the game had all the makings for an upset from the start. France fell to 1-0 deficit inside the first 10 minutes of the match reeling against the work rate of the Australians, who were creative in their possession on the day.
Australia’s Craig Goodwin slotted in a tap-in at the far corner to shock the defending champions. Worse, in the build-up to the play, France’s left-back Lucas Hernandez twisted his knee and had to be carried off the pitch.
As the Australian attack came in waves, France were forced to weather the storm, keeping themselves tight at the heart of their defence.
France got a goal against the flow of the play in the 27th minute with Adrian Rabiot heading a cross home.
The same Rabiot was ignored in France’s 2018 World Cup winning squad awarded France with their first goal, four years later in the 2022 campaign.
France brought out waves of attack. Antoine Griezmann was the playmaker from the deep, scanning the spaces and weaving the passes, while Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Dembele, with their sublime movement, kept Australia busy in the wings.
