Defending champions France kicked off their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign in flying colours, as they outplayed Australia four goals to one in their Group D opening match this Tuesday night at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah.
Interestingly, it were the Aussies who went into the lead early in the game, as a low cross from Mathew Leckie in the right found Craig Goodwin, who put it past French keeper Hugo Lloris to score at the 9-minute mark.
It was until the 27th minute when France had their equalizer, courtesy to a brilliant header from Adrien Rabiot. Within five minutes, ‘Les Bleus’ went into the lead as Kylian Mbappe’s superb flick found Olivier Giroud, who tapped the ball into the Aussie net.
With a 2-1 scoreline into the second half, Mbappe found his strike as a cross from Ousmane Dembele found the French striker’s head in the 68th minute, missing Mat Ryan and marked France’s third goal of the night.
Giroud put the fourth and final nail for the Aussies three minutes later, with another superb cross from Mbappe finding the veteran forward’s head, who nod it past Ryan to mark his second of the night. With the brace, Giroud is now the joint-highest top scorer for France, matching Thierry Henry’s 51.
A special moment for Olivier Giroud 🤩
He becomes France's joint-highest top scorer, alongside Thierry Henry ⚽🔝
🇫🇷 4-1 🇦🇺
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— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 22, 2022
Final Score: France 4 – 1 Australia
Goals:
AUS – Craig Goodwin – 9th minute
FRA – Adrien Rabiot – 27th minute
FRA – Olivier Giroud – 32nd minute
FRA – Kylian Mbappe – 68th minute
FRA – Olivier Giroud – 71st minute
