Australia scares France for a while, but tandem Mbappé-Giroud still packs Aussies

Australia has turned out to be the dream warm-up for defending champion France. After Goodwin’s quick opening goal, a new sensation seemed to be in the making. But the Australians seemed unable to match the speed and offensive power of the French.

France – Australia in a nutshell

  • Man of the match: We Belgians may not like to see it, but there was no measure on Kylian Mbappé today. Both before (no goals) and after the break (goal and assist), the winger ravaged the Australian defense with his speed and dangerous combinations.
  • Key moment: The French do not want to allow the lopsided situation for longer than half an hour, Giroud and Rabiot turn the situation around completely in five minutes. The Australians still want to do that, but against such a big class difference there is little to do.
  • Statistics (1): Giroud scored two goals against Australia and is joint French top scorer with Thierry Henry.
  • Statistics (2): The reigning champion has lost his opening match in the past three World Cups. France will not be fooled and breaks with that trend.

Watch the full match between France and Australia on VRT MAX: 4-1

Australia surprised but punished

The past four world champions stumbled in the first round and France seemed to repeat that for a moment today. Leckie found his neighbor Goodwin with a great cross, who also outwitted Lloris.

During that attack, France also lost Lucas Hernandez, presumably to a cruciate ligament injury, so Deschamps had reason enough to worry. Duke almost shot the 0-2 from 20 meters.

Fifteen minutes later, the French engine started. Rabiot hung on after a corner and the Australian defense lost sight of him on Theo Hernandez’s cross. He could barely get up close miss, 1-1.

Five minutes later, France completely took over. Australia wanted to play football too well, lost the ball, after which Mbappé pushed the leather to Giroud. He actually missed his shot, but still made the nets vibrate.

France had opportunities to increase the distance with Mbappé, Giroud and Dembélé, among others, but also saw Irvine’s header on the post on the other side just before half-time.

Again five minutes

After the break, France continued to dominate. After five minutes, Giroud showed his skills for spectacular goals. A lesser cross turned out to be a perfect opportunity for a bicycle kick, which went just wide.

Smooth combinations ended in blocked chances for Mbappé, but it couldn’t last. In the 68th minute it was over with only threats. A shot was turned on the line, but Dembélé then ‘banana’ the ball to Mbappé, who headed in, via the right side of the post.

Barely three minutes later, the finisher became the declarant, and it was Giroud who was able to head in on a pass from Mbappé, after a double acceleration of the

speed demon.

Match played, but even then Matthew Ryan, once under the blue-black bar, had to prevent even worse. Konaté headed well, but Ryan dove quickly and whipped the 5-1 out of his goal.

Four of the last five world champions have not progressed beyond the group stage. With this victory, France is already taking a big step to avoid that fate.

Watch the 4 French goals:

  1. second half, minute 98. End. Victor Gomes ends a match that seemed to be exciting. The Australians took the lead after ten minutes, but then took the lead. Twice five solid minutes, with goals from Rabiot, Giroud (x2) and Mbappé, the game ended. Nice start for Les Bleus. .
  2. second half, minute 98 match over
  3. second half, minute 98. Australia wants another chance, Behich keeps dribbling and finally forces Lloris to dive. .
  4. Yellow card for Australia’s Aaron Mooy during the second half, minute 94
  5. second half, minute 90. + 7. The fourth ref gives seven more minutes to play. .
  6. Ryan prevents 5. What he can get, he takes. On a corner Konaté can head towards goal, but with a nice jump Matthew Ryan fends the ball out of his goal. . second half, minute 89.
  7. second half, minute 89. Goalkeeper Ryan whips the 5-1 out of goal.

    Goalkeeper Ryan whips the 5-1 out of goal

  8. second half, minute 89. Replacement for France, Marcus Thuram in, Olivier Giroud out
  9. second half, minute 89. Replacement for France, Jules Koundé in, Benjamin Pavard out
  10. second half, minute 88. Matt Ryan has to intervene on a cross from Coman. He didn’t really have much work, he always had no chance with the goals. .
  11. second half, minute 85. Substitution for Australia, Milos Degenek in, Nathaniel Atkinson out
  12. second half, minute 85. Australia substitution, Keanu Baccus in, Jackson Irvine out
  13. second half, minute 82. Mbappé angry with himself. France controls the match. Griezmann finds Mbappé in the box with a great pass, but he misses his assumption, much to his own anger. .
  14. Yellow card for Jackson Irvine of Australia during second half, minute 80
  15. second half, minute 77. Replacement for France, Kingsley Coman in, Ousmane Dembélé out
  16. second half, minute 77. Replacement for France, Youssouf Fofana in, Aurélien Tchouaméni out
  17. second half, minute 76. Enjoying Mbappé, work of art in motion. Philip Josh.
  18. second half, minute 74. Australia substitution, Garang Kuol in, Craig Goodwin out
  19. second half, minute 73. Australia substitution, Awer Mabil in, Riley McGree out
  20. second half, minute 72. Acceleration by Mbappé and second goal by Giroud: 4-1.

    Acceleration from Mbappé and second goal from Giroud: 4-1

Source: Sporza

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Peggy McColl

Mentor l NY Times Bestselling Author. Hi, I'm Peggy McColl, and I'm here to deliver a positive message to you!

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