France vs Australia LIVE: World Cup 2022 latest score and updates after Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud goals
France 4-1 Australia: Craig Goodwin’s early goal sparked a reaction from the defending champions as Adrien Rabiot, Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe goals turned the match around
Australia gave France an early scare before the defending World Cup champions turned on the style in a 4-1 win in their Group D opener.
Craig Goodwin gave the Socceroos a shock lead after just nine minutes with a composed finish at the back post and France looked out of sorts in the early stages.
But Adrien Rabiot’s header pulled France level before Olivier Giroud scored a second within five minutes as the 2018 World Cup winners turned the match around.
Kylian Mbappe got off the mark for the World Cup in the second half from Ousmane Dembele’s cross, before Giroud scored his second to level Thierry Henry as France’s record scorer with his 51st international goal.
It leaves France top of Group D after Denmark and Tunisia shared the points in a goalless draw earlier in the day. Follow all the reaction from Al-Janoub Stadium with our live blog below.
France 2-1 Australia
33 mins: Australia are a bit sloppy as they play the ball out the back after a goal kick, and goalscorer Rabiot knicks it on the left flank.
It falls for Mbappe, who hops and rolls a back-heel back to Rabiot. The midfielder then cuts a pass back into the centre of the France box, where Giroud steps up to it and passes it home from about six yards out!
GOAL! France 2-1 Australia (Giroud, 32)
31 mins: AND FRANCE LEAD!
It’s such a lovely move from the left, and it ends with Giroud tucking away a close-range finish!
France 1-1 Australia
GOAL! France 1-1 Australia (Rabiot, 27)
27 mins: FRANCE EQUALISE!
They saw their corner cleared, but the second phase ends with T Hernandez swinging in a cross from deep on the left...
And Rabiot leaps to meet it, directing a fine header past Ryan and into the back of the net!
France 0-1 Australia
26 mins: Dembele slides a pass into the Australia box, where Griezmann rushes in to meet it.
Rowles intercepts and concedes a corner, but France see it headed away.
France 0-1 Australia
25 mins: Mbappe spins his man and races up the left wing towards the Australia box, but there is Souttar to cover for his teammate!
He smashes the ball out for a France throw-in.
France 0-1 Australia
A moment that will be remembered throughout this whole tournament and, if Australia win this game, for years and years to come.
France 0-1 Australia
21 mins: CLOSE!
T Hernandez with a sloppy pass in his own half, after darting inside from the left.
Duke pounces on it and DRILLS a shot towards the top corner from range!
It rises just a bit too much, though!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments