World Cup 2022: France swerve scare to begin title defence with win

France came from behind to get their World Cup title defence off to a winning start as The Blues sealed a 4-1 victory over Australia at the Al Janoub Stadium.
Australia, who entered the game as underdogs, took a shock lead in the ninth minute to send the fans of the title holders wild courtesy of Craig Goodwin.

Didier Deschamps’ side however, responded brilliantly, created many clear-cut chances to get back on level terms and eventually had their equaliser in the 27th minutes through Adrien Rabiot.

The World Cup holders denied the curse of the defending champions (and their own dubious history) to carve the Socceroos open time and again. Mbappe, Dembele, and Griezmann all look in fine fettle, and Giroud bagged a couple to bring him level with Thierry Henry on France’s all-time scorer’s list. An ideal opening hit-out for Didier Deschamps, soured only by the injury to Lucas Hernandez.

Giroud has became France’s joint-highest goalscorer, levelling Theirry Henry with 51 goals.

The victory leaves France top of Group D. They are in same group with Denmark and African side Tunisia who played out a goalless draw earlier in the day.

Fixtures on Wednesday will see 2014 champions Germany facing Japan, Spain battling Costa Rica in Group E. Also in Group F will be Morocco squaring off against Croatia while Belgium takes on debutants, Canada.