World Cup: Daily update from day 2 in Qatar
France play Australia to begin their World Cup defence in Qatar with Kylian Mbappe shouldering the pressure after the champions suffered plenty of injuries to key players in the build-up.
Karim Benzema joined N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba, Christopher Nkunku and Presnel Kimpembe on the sidelines ahead of the opening game. Didier Deschamps still has plenty of firepower and Olivier Giroud may even improve their chances of winning as a selfless striker, given the side’s history in this tournament.
Australia will take inspiration from Saudi Arabia’s shock against Argentina as they look to pull off the upset as heavy underdogs here.
Follow all the action from Al-Janoub Stadium with our live blog below, after the conclusion of Mexico vs Poland:
France vs Australia latest updates
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France 4-1 Australia
83 mins: A rare poor touch from Mbappe, as he fails to control a delicious chipped pass from Griezmann on the angle.
Alex Pattle22 November 2022 20:46
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France 4-1 Australia
79 mins: Upamecano wins a couple of challenges in a row then glides out from the back. Irvine knicks him from behind, though, and the France centre back hits the deck while winning a free kick.
Alex Pattle22 November 2022 20:42
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France 4-1 Australia
(AFP via Getty Images)
Alex Pattle22 November 2022 20:41
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France 4-1 Australia
76 mins: Two changes for France, as Tchouameni is replaced by Wesley Fofana, and Dembele is replaced by Kingsley Coman.
Alex Pattle22 November 2022 20:39
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France 4-1 Australia
74 mins: McGree and Australia goalscorer Goodwin are replaced by Awer Mabil and Garang Kuol.
Alex Pattle22 November 2022 20:37
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France 4-1 Australia
73 mins: Mbappe turns provider here, dashing to the byline then clipping a cross in for Giroud from the left.
Giroud rises and nods it home, taking a bit of a clatter as he does so!
He seems okay, and happy to have tied Henry’s record of course!
Alex Pattle22 November 2022 20:36
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GOAL! France 4-1 Australia (Giroud, 72)
72 mins: ANOTHER FRANCE GOAL, GIROUD’S SECOND OF THE DAY!
He ties Henry’s France record of 51 for Les Bleus!
Alex Pattle22 November 2022 20:35
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France 3-1 Australia
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Alex Pattle22 November 2022 20:34
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France 3-1 Australia
69 mins: Dembele whips a nasty ball across the face of the Australia goal from the byline on the right, and Mbappe jumps to head it off the post and in!
Kylian Mbappe celebrates nodding home France’s third goal against Australia
(EPA)
Alex Pattle22 November 2022 20:33
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GOAL! France 3-1 Australia (Mbappe, 67)
67 mins: GOAL FOR FRANCE!! Mbappe doesn’t miss this one!!
Alex Pattle22 November 2022 20:31