LIVE: Australia Takes Shocking Lead on France
Four years after the two teams opened group play against one another in Russia, they’ll do it again in Qatar. Follow along here.
No men’s national team since Brazil in 1962 has gone back-to-back at the World Cup, and if France is going to match that feat 60 years later, it’ll have to do so while shorthanded.
Les Bleus begin their title defense against Australia on Tuesday, just days after learning that star forward and reigning Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema will have to miss the duration of the tournament. He joins the likes of Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kanté, Christopher Nkunku and Presnel Kimpebe as spectators, hoping that France can win in their absence.
It does help that Didier Deschamps side is stacked otherwise, with Kylian Mbappé set to take on an even bigger role in an attack that also still features Ousmane Dembélé, Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann.
The two sides met in their opener of the 2018 World Cup group stage as well, with the Socceroos holding France until a late own goal tilted the scales in a 2–1 victory. History could be on Australia’s side to a degree: four of the last five reigning champions have gone out in the subsequent group stage, so perhaps the French are ripe for the picking.
Les Bleus didn’t come out like that. Dembélé dazzled on a dribble down the right-hand side in the opening minute, immediately creating danger with his speed and crossing ability, forcing Australia into some desperation defending early.
Those good vibes didn’t last long, though. In the ninth minute, off a sequence that started with a long diagonal ball out of the back, Australia struck for a stunning opener through Craig Goodwin. Mathew Leckie received the ball down the right-hand side, cutting back on Lucas Hernández, who appeared to suffer a serious knee injury in the process as he crippled to the ground. Leckie crossed for Goodwin, who smashed in an emphatic opener for the 1-0 lead, and following the goal, Hernández was replaced by his brother, Theo.
Australia kept up the pressure in the 22nd minute, riding the momentum of that opener. Mitchell Duke lined up a 30-yard blast, and he didn’t miss by much, with the ball whizzing just by a diving Hugo Lloris but also the right post.
Follow along here for live updates and highlights of goals and key plays from throughout the match (refresh for most recent updates).
Here are the lineups for both teams:
Full World Cup Squads
France
GOALKEEPERS: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Rennes)
DEFENDERS: Axel Disasi (Monaco), Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Raphaël Varane (Manchester United)
MIDFIELDERS: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Mattéo Guendouzi (Marseille), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Jordan Veretout (Marseille)
FORWARDS: Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembélé (Barcelona), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid), Kylian Mbappé (PSG), Randal Kolo Muani (Eintracht Frankfurt), Marcus Thuram (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
COACH: Didier Deschamps
Australia
GOALKEEPERS: Andrew Redmayne (Sydney FC), Mat Ryan (Copenhagen), Danny Vukovic (Central Coast Mariners)
DEFENDERS: Nathaniel Atkinson (Heart of Midlothian), Aziz Behich (Dundee United), Miloš Degenek (Columbus Crew), Thomas Deng (Albirex Niigata), Fran Karačić (Brescia), Joel King (Odense Boldklub), Kye Rowles (Heart of Midlothian), Harry Souttar (Stoke City), Bailey Wright (Sunderland)
MIDFIELDERS: Keanu Baccus (St Mirren), Cameron Devlin (Heart of Midlothian), Ajdin Hrustic (Hellas Verona), Jackson Irvine (St. Pauli), Riley McGree (Middlesbrough), Aaron Mooy (Celtic)
FORWARDS: Martin Boyle (Hibernian), Jason Cummings (Central Coast Mariners), Mitchell Duke (Fagiano Okayama), Craig Goodwin (Adelaide United), Garang Kuol (Central Coast Mariners), Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City), Awer Mabil (Cádiz), Jamie Maclaren (Melbourne City)
COACH: Graham Arnold