France has successfully launched its mission to defend its title in Qatar. Underdogs Australia took the lead against the world champions but were hopelessly defeated.
France is preparing to break the world champion curse of the past tournaments. The defending champion won his opening game at the World Cup in Qatar on Tuesday evening (November 22nd, 2022) at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah against bravely fighting Australians after a cold shower at the beginning with a comfortable 4-1 (2-1). Even without their numerous injuries around real star Karim Benzema, the Équipe Tricolore in Group D have already opened the door to the round of 16. At the last three World Cups, the defending champion had already had to give up after the preliminary round: Italy in 2010, Spain in 2014 and Germany in 2018.
“You can only be satisfied with the way it started,” said double goalscorer Olivier Giroud. “In any case, we were effective. The win is good for the dynamism, confidence and morale in the team.” In Group D, France took the lead ahead of Denmark and Tunisia, who drew 0-0 in the afternoon. On Saturday (November 16, 2022 / 5 p.m.) France will face the Danes in what is supposed to be the top game in the group. Australia plays against Tunisia (11:00 CET).
Seven world champions in starting XI – Aussies with Irvine and Leckie
Despite major injury concerns, the defending champion brought a team with illustrious names to the starting line – including star striker Kylian Mbappé from Paris Saint-Germain, attacking ace Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid, world champion keeper Hugo Lloris from Tottenham Hotspur and the defensive line with the three Bayern Defenders Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano and Lucas Hernández. Didier Deschamps trusted a total of seven world champions from 2018 at the start – the Australians with St. Pauli captain Jackson Irvine and former Bundesliga striker Mathew Leckie must have felt like “soccer dwarves”.
Breakfast surprise for Australian fans
Coach Graham Arnold had not tired of freeing his kickers from this imprisonment in the past few days. “We’re playing against a team with blue jerseys, that’s all,” the 59-year-old told his players. What his team then served to their compatriots Down Under for breakfast shortly after kick-off should have sparked spontaneous parties over baked beans and vegemite sandwiches between Sydney and Perth.
Goodwin puts Australia ahead – Hernández injured
Because Australia surprisingly took the lead thanks to a clever relief attack. Leckie skilfully picked up a diagonal ball on the right and sent a sharp pass to the back post, where Craig Goodwin smacked the ball under the bar from eight yards out (9′). While trying to stop Leckie’s cross, Bayern professional Hernández injured his right knee so badly that he had to be substituted. Bitter for the 26-year-old, who only suffered a torn muscle in September. His brother Theo came in to replace him.
The injured Lucas Hernández (centre) leaves the field, supported by two French coaches.
Rabiot and Giroud turn the game
The AC Milan defender was immediately involved in two pivotal scenes. First he frittered away the ball against Mitchell Duke, who immediately took aim from 25 meters and shot just wide of the right post (22′). Five minutes later, Theo prepared the long-deserved equalizer. Adrien Rabiot found his long volley from the left field and headed in from six meters to make it 1-1 (27′). After a blatant defensive mistake by the Australians, Giroud finally corrected the balance of power with the 2-1 lead by Rabiot (32nd).
Mbappé forgives spectacularly – Irvine hits the post
Thanks to their fast and tricky outside players, France still had numerous chances to make the result clearer before the break, but Mbappé in particular seemed to have bad luck sticking to his boots. He spectacularly messed up the best opportunity to make it 3-1 when he sprinted into a half-high cross from Griezmann and chased the ball over the goal (45′). Mbappé himself acknowledged the action with an ironic grin.
This negligence was almost punished. Out of nowhere, the Australians had a chance in injury time in the first half. After a cross from Riley McGee, Irvine headed in the center against the direction of Lloris, but his bounce landed on the post (45+2).
Mbappé is redeemed – Giroud draws level with Henry
Even after the break, the “Socceroos” didn’t give up and lurked for their chance, while the “Blues” offered football for the eye here and there. However, Giroud’s work of art – a side kick from ten meters – remained unfinished because the bouncer tumbled past the left post (50th). The great French individualists now played out their superiority according to all the rules of the art. The 3-1 was in the air, but Aziz Behich saved Griezmann’s low shot after a fine combination down the left (67′).
Shortly thereafter, the game slipped completely from the outsider. Mbappé rewarded himself for his tireless running with a header that flew from the inside post into the goal (68th). Three minutes later he put the 4:1 on his fellow striker Giroud. The 36-year-old thus achieved a milestone in his career: With 51 international goals, he caught up with France’s record scorer Thierry Henry. The Australians accepted the ultimately clear result without complaint. It was a defeat against a team with blue jerseys – nothing more.