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Mbappe and Giroud Put Australia to the Sword as France Open World Cup Defence in Style

After going down early, reigning World Cup champions France came roaring back at Al-Janoub Stadium on Tuesday to beat Australia 4-1 in Group D.

Australia’s Craig Goodwin scored in just the ninth minute as French defender Lucas Hernández went down on the play. But France responded with four unanswered goals from Adrien Rabiot, Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappé to win.

Here is ESPN’s Julien Laurens with reaction and analysis from Qatar.

Rapid Reaction

1. France Stumble at First But Get Their Winning Start

It was not easy for Les Bleus — it never is against Australia (remember 2018 in Russia), and it is never easy in their World Cup openers (remember 2002, 2006, 2010). But a win is a win, and France will take that for now.

Considering the recent drama — the injuries, including the last one ruling out Karim Benzema from the tournament three days ago, the tensions, the uncertainties — plus the nerves of this first game, Tuesday’s win is a start that could be more valuable than just three points for manager Didier Deschamps and his players. Les Bleus showed character and determination and turned things around, which will bring them a lot of momentum.

There are things to improve and to correct, of course — especially defensively — but once the pieces of this new-look team fell into the right place, with Antoine Griezmann taking a while to adjust to his new role of a hybrid No. 8/No. 10, it was much better. The ball movement became more fluid; the shape of the team was more balanced; and France took control.

To win the World Cup back to back, a feat achieved only by Italy in 1934 and 1938 and Brazil in 1958 and 1962, France will need more control and more solidity. They lost another starter through injury, Hernández, and it will continue to test their depth.

But for now, the French side will be happy. Only one reigning champion had won their opening game in the past five World Cups: Brazil in 2006. France in 2002, Italy in 2010, Spain in 2014 and Germany in 2018 all failed to do so. For this, France can’t be too upset about the goal they conceded.

2. Giroud Equals Henry’s Record

Olivier Giroud likes to say that his football career is an endless new beginning. It sums up his career and how he keeps rising, even when he is expected to fall.

Giroud scored his 50th and 51st international goals for France against Australia in his 115th cap, equaling Thierry Henry’s record for the French men’s team, but in eight fewer games. It is an incredible achievement for an incredible destiny.

The AC Milan striker was not sure to be part of this adventure. Deschamps had his doubts about Giroud and was hesitant to name him in the squad. Then, he was supposed to be Benzema’s backup, but once again fate played in the 36-year-old’s favour.

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