France – Australia: Les Bleus launch their competition in style

FRANCE – AUSTRALIA: THE BLUES KICK OFF THEIR COMPETITION IN STYLE

This Tuesday, November 22, the French team won its first match of this World Cup 2022 against Australia with the score of 4 goals to 1. As in the 2018 edition, Didier Deschamps’ players start this competition with a win against the Socceroos. During this match, Adrien Rabiot, Kylian Mbappé and Olivier Giroud have distinguished themselves to allow the Blues to bring back the first 3 points.

A DELICATE START TO THE GAME…

The game had started badly for the French team. After only 10 minutes of play and an Australian overrun on the right side, Lucas Hernandez collapses. The Australian winger took advantage of the situation to place a very good low cross at the back post, which was logically converted by Craig Goodwin. But what we will remember most is the injury of Lucas Hernandez. The Frenchman went out holding his right knee and has already declared his withdrawal for the rest of the competition. An additional blow for Didier Deschamps.

We had to wait until the 27th minute to see the reaction of the French team. It came from Adrien Rabiot who came to take a cross well deposited by Theo Hernandez at the penalty point. 5 minutes later, it is the same Adrien Rabiot who sends a decisive pass to Olivier Giroud who only has to finish in the empty goal. These two goals in quick succession allowed the French to breathe easier in this game that had started badly enough.

GIROUD EQUALS THIERRY HENRY’S GOAL RECORD

In the second half, we found the Blues more serene and well established on the field. This allowed them to create more chances, until the 68th minute, which saw Kylian Mbappé finish with a header with the help of the Australian post. The French striker thus opens his counter in this competition. 3 minutes later, Mbappé turns into a passer and sends a very good cross to Olivier Giroud. The latter, not clumsy in the air, adjusts a good head which crucifies Matthew Ryan. At the same time, he equals Thierry Henry’s record of goals for the French team (51 goals) and brings the score to 4-1. It could have been even worse if the attempts of Griezmann (67th) and Konate (90th) had not been diverted on the line by the Australian defenders.

With this large victory, Les Bleus reassure themselves after a difficult start. They are for the moment the only ones of their group to take the 3 points, Denmark having drawn (0-0) against Tunisia in the afternoon. It is for the moment the 2nd largest victory of the competition, behind England (6-2 against Iran).