France come from behind to thrash Australia

World champions France secured their first 2022 World Cup win when they came from behind to outclass Australia 4-1 in an incident-packed Group D encounter at Al Janoub Stadium on Tuesday.

Australia made a blistering start to the game when Craig Goodwin put them ahead after nine minutes with a lef-footed shot following Mathew Leckie’s clever assitance.

But France, missing Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba, Christopher Nkunku and Presnel Kimpembe, turned the tide in the space of five frantic first-half minutes, with Adrien Rabiot first levelling the score with a header from Theo Hernandez’s corner before Olivier Giroud nodded home in the 32nd minute for the lead with lively Rabiot turning provider.

Rabiot became the first Frenchman to both score and assist on his World Cup debut since Christophe Dugarry against South Africa in June 1988.

1 – Adrien Rabiot is the first France player to both score and assist a goal on his World Cup debut since Christophe Dugarry against South Africa in June 1998. Rebellion. #FRAAUS pic.twitter.com/yt3v5dZ1gI

— OptaJean (@OptaJean) November 22, 2022

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France continued to dominate after the break with Kylian Mbappe making it 3-1 with a delightful header and Giroud added another to equal Thierry Henry as France’s all-time top scorer with his 51st international goal.

Olivier Giroud equals Thierry Henry as France's all-time top scorer (51) 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/zCgusC6inG

— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 22, 2022

France top the standings with three points, followed by Denmark and Tunisia with one. Australia are bottom with no points.