FIFA World Cup 2022, France vs Australia Highlights: France crush Australia 4-1 in their opening game

 The French came back to defeat Australia 4-1 in Group D on Tuesday, putting an end to rumours of a holders' curse. Olivier Giroud scored twice to tie the record for goals scored by a player in a World Cup game. After nine minutes, Craig Goodwin's spectacular finish of Mathew Leckie's cross had given Australia a stunning lead at Al Janoub Stadium. However, France drew even when Adrien Rabiot headed in a goal, and Giroud's tap-in gave them the lead at the break. Giroud's 51st international goal, which tied him with Thierry Henry for the most goals scored by a Frenchman in history, came three minutes after Kylian Mbappe's looping header in the 68th minute.

• Match Report: France start title defence with 4-1 win over Australia

At Al Janoub Stadium on Wednesday, record-breaker Olivier Giroud scored twice to enable France, the defending champions, easily defeat Australia 4-1 to begin their championship defence. First Giroud, who at 36 years and 53 days was the oldest French player to compete in the FIFA World Cup, made history by tying the famous Thierry Henry for the most goals scored by his nation with 51.

• Confident start for the defending champions

The reigning champs are up and running 🔥@adidasfootball | #FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 22, 2022

• FT - It's all over! Holders France start their campaign with a 4-1 win over Australia

France battled back to defeat Australia, opening their World Cup defence with a 4-1 Group D victory on Tuesday that put an end to rumours of a holders' curse. Olivier Giroud scored twice to join the ranks of France's all-time leading scorers. At Al Janoub Stadium, Australia had a spectacular lead after nine minutes when Craig Goodwin brilliantly finished off Mathew Leckie's cross, but France drew even when Adrien Rabiot scored with a header, and Giroud's tap-in gave them the lead at the break.Giroud tied Thierry Henry for the most goals in France history with his 51st international goal three minutes after Kylian Mbappe's looping header in the 68th minute. After the previous three World Cup hosts, Italy, Spain, and Germany, all failed to win their opening games, Didier Deschamps' team, who now top Group D after opponents Denmark and Tunisia drew 0-0 earlier on Tuesday, broke the trend.

02:28 (IST) Nov 23

02:28 (IST) Nov 23

• 94' - YELLOW CARD! Australia's Aaron Mooy is booked for a dangerous challenge on Theo Hernandez

02:27 (IST) Nov 23

• 94' - France have made as many as 21 attempts on goal in the game today

02:26 (IST) Nov 23

• 93' - It's all France now, with all the action happening in and around the Australia box.

02:23 (IST) Nov 23

• 90' - 7 minutes added as stoppage time

02:23 (IST) Nov 23

• 90' - SAVE! Australia keeper Mathew Ryan makes a diving save to deny Ibrahima Konate a goal.

02:22 (IST) Nov 23

• 88' - SUBSTITUTION! Double change for France: Jules Kounde and Marcus Thuram replace Benjamin Pavard and Olivier Giroud

02:17 (IST) Nov 23

• 85' - SUBSTITUTION! Double change for Australia: Keanu Baccus and Milos Degenek replace Jackson Irvine and Nathaniel Atkinson

02:16 (IST) Nov 23

• Pic: France's Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring their fourth goal

02:13 (IST) Nov 23

• 80' - YELLOW CARD! Australia's Jackson Irvine is booked

02:10 (IST) Nov 23

76' - SUBSTITUTION! Double change for France: Youssouf Fofana and Kingsley Coman replace Aurelien Tchouameni and Ousmane Dembele

02:07 (IST) Nov 23

73' - SUBSTITUTION! Double change for Australia: Awer Mabil and Garang Kuol replace Riley McGree and Craig Goodwin

02:05 (IST) Nov 23

1' - GOAL!!! Giroud extends France's advantage to 4-1.

GOAL #51 for Olivier Giroud, who now shares the country's all-time scoring lead with Thierry Henry. Giroud, 36, also made history today by playing in the World Cup for France as the oldest player.

02:01 (IST) Nov 23

68' - GOALL!!! Mbappe makes it 3-1 for France

The defending champions boosted their lead to 3-1 thanks to a spectacular header from Kylian Mbappe. France kept coming up with attacks to keep Australia's defence on its toes. On the right side of the box, Dembele intercepted a breakaway pass and fired a tantalising cross toward the six-yard box. Mbappe headed in his team's third goal by slipping past the two centre defenders.

02:00 (IST) Nov 23

67' - SAVE! Goalline clearance by Behich denied Griezmann a goal. What a save.

01:56 (IST) Nov 23

63' - Griezmann with the delivery from the set-piece. A decent one, but Konate headed it wide after jumping high in the penalty area.

01:55 (IST) Nov 23

63' - Another corner for Australia

01:55 (IST) Nov 23

62' - A low delivery from the corner by Mbappe and the Australian defender cleared it out to safety.