Olivier Giroud celebrates after scoring France's fourth goal. REUTERS
Reigning champions France opened their World Cup title defence with a 4-1 thrashing of Australia, on what turned out to be the night for veteran Olivier Giroud at the Al Janoub Stadium.
With only one goal to his credit in the past 12 World Cup matches, the AC Milan forward scored two goals in France’s opener, reaching new milestones with his each strike.
He became the oldest goal scorer (36y 53d) for a European nation at the World Cup with his first goal, and equaled Thierry Henry’s record as France’s all-time top scorer with his second – goal number 51 for the Les Bleus.
The game didn’t start well for France as Craig Goodwin put Graham Arnold’s Australia into the lead early but Didier Deschamps’ side ensured there are no more upsets on the day after Saudi Arabia shocked Argentina 2-1 at the Lusail Stadium.
Adrien Rabiot scored the equaliser with Giroud sending France into lead at half-time. PSG star Kylian Mbappe, who could have scored more with his dangerous play, added one in the second half before Giroud completing the rout.
Olivier Giroud scores France’s fourth goal. REUTERS
The dominant win put France top of Group D after Denmark and Tunisia played out a 0-0 draw earlier in the day.
Deschamps must be happy to see Giroud scoring goals after Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema was ruled out of the World Cup with a thigh injury.
Australia, hoping for a strong start after losing their three previous World Cup openers, went ahead with Goodwin smashing the ball on top of the net from inside the six-yard box. He received a ball from Mathew Leckie, who beat a defender to set up a 9th minute goal.
France took their time in getting that groove of the reigning champions but once they started there was no respite for the Socceroos.
A sequence of attacks finally paid dividend as France scored the equaliser in the 27th minute. Theo Hernandez – who replaced his injured brother Lucas Hernandez in the 13th minute – whipped a cross with Rabiot heading the ball in following Antoine Griezmann’s corner.
Juventus midfielder Rabiot then won the ball from an Australian defender to set up a landmark 50th goal for Giroud, who put the ball in to take France into lead in 32nd minute.
Kylian Mbappe scores France’s third goal against Australia during their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group D match played at Al Janoub Stadium, yesterday.
France could have extended their lead but Griezmann missed target with a low hit after a back heel from Mbappe, who also volleyed the ball high in his attempt.
Under pressure from a flurry of attacks, Australia got them a rare opportunity to score just before the break but Jackson Irvine’s header hit the woodwork with the ball out of French captain Hugo Lloris’ reach.
The champions returned in a similar fashion, dominating the match with Giroud hitting a rising shot as the match resumed.
Mbappe, seeking his first goal in Qatar, became a constant threat for Australia and finally found one when he headed the ball past Australia goalkeeper Mathew Ryan in the 68th after a ball from Ousmane Dembele.
Giroud scored the record-equaling goal only three minutes later, heading the ball in from Mbappe’s cross.
France will face Denmark in their next match while Australia will meet Tunisia, with both matches scheduled on Saturday.
Top scorers for France
1 Thierry Henry (1997-2010) 51 goals
1 Olivier Giroud (Since 2011) 51
3 Antoine Griezmann (Since 2014) 42
4 Michel Platini (1976-1986) 41
5 Karim Benzema (Since 2007) 37
6 David Trezeguet (1998-2008) 34
7 Zinédine Zidane (1994-2006) 31
8 Just Fontaine (1953-1960) 30
8 Jean-Pierre Papin (1986-1994) 30
10 Kylian Mbappe (Since 2018) 29
