The biggest sporting event in the world continues with the Group D France v Australia clash that should show us whether France will be able to beat the UEFA World Cup winner curse that has shadowed European nations for the past two decades. The Soccerwhos? will be massive underdogs against the reigning champions, but France are missing their Best Player in the World, after he was ruled out of the tournament.
With so many games and so little time, our Group D France v Australia Match Centre tries to sum it all up as quickly as possible before and after the game and with just a hint of cynicism. If you wanted professional and/or good you’d be on the BBC website, not here. Essentially, we watch and follow the game so you don’t have to.
With answers to the key questions prior to the match and our Minutes that Mattered summary and stats post game, it is a real Who Cares guide to the 2022 World Cup for the person on the go.
Enjoy the Group D France v Australia Match Centre.
KICKOFF – TUESDAY 22nd NOV – 22:00 (QATAR) 19:00 (UK) 06:00 (AEDT)
Group D France v Australia Match Review
France has overcome a surprise early deficit to smash Australia 4-1 in a dominant display that shows they care little for that winner’s curse.
Minutes that Mattered
Welcome to the briefest of match summaries, like a minute by minute you find on professional websites except one that has only the minutes that matter. All wheat, no chaff.
And if the below isn’t enough, for those in Australia you can catch up via the SBS World Cup on Demand.
2′ Min Early corner for France is a good one but handled well by Australia. The Socceroos then go down the other end and have a shot that will be close to the most off target for the World Cup.
9′ Min GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL FOR AUSTRALIA
Australia float a big kick out to the right from inside their own half, going Route One just the way some like it. It falls to Mathew Leckie who controls it well then sends a magnificent cross into the box across the face of goal where Craig Goodwin meets the ball unmarked and calmly slots it past Lloris in goal. A scarcely believable opening goal goes to Australia.
FRANCE 0 AUSTRALIA 1
15′ Min France go on the attack after the goal, stung by the surprise. They put Australia under pressure, with the occasional corner but the scrambling defence of the Socceroos is holding up. For now. But with so many big attacking weapons it is going to be a long night. So many clearance from the Australians, but doing well against the World Champions.
21′ Min After soaking up some French pressure, Australia get into the France half and Mitchell Duke has a crack from distance, and woof, what a hit. It just misses to the right but will put France on notice to keep an eye on Duke when he gets the ball close-ish to goal.
27′ Min GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL FOR FRANCE
After a corner is cleared by Australia it falls to Lucas Hernandez just outside the box who whips in a fine cross into the penalty area and is met by Adrien Rabiot who easily beats Mat Ryan for the equaliser. For Australia it was good while it lasted.
FRANCE 1 AUSTRALIA 1
32′ Min GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL FOR FRANCE
The Socceroos stuff around with the ball in defence deep in their own half and are dispossessed. Goal scorer Adrien Rabiot weaves his way into the box then lays on the perfect square pass for Olivier Giroud to easily tap in the goal. Slick play from France, but against this attack, Australia should consider getting rid of the ball quick. There’s a feeling this could get ugly from here.
FRANCE 2 AUSTRALIA 1
36′ Min France go close again. Olivier Giroud puts a sharp chance over the cross bar. Dembele has a similar result a few minutes later. Not long after that Antoine Griezmann puts a shot just wide of the right post. But Australia are holding on.
44” Min Kylian Mbappe misses an absolute sitter. Basically an open goal from the six yard line after a perfect Griezmann cross. Somehow Mbappe puts the ball several metres over the bar.
45′ Min Australia rue a missed chance of their own. In a rare attack on the French goal, Jackson Irvine’s header hits the post and deflects out. No way Lloris was getting that. An inch or two to the right and it would be 2-2.
HALF TIME – FRANCE 2 AUSTRALIA 1
49′ Min Two big chances for France, the second being the best as Olivier Giroud tries a bicycle kick from a Hernandez cross. It doesn’t miss by much. You have to respect the arrogant confidence of trying that. France look dangerous every time they enter the Australian half. It will take a big effort to stay in the game, but they only need to look to Saudi Arabia for a recipe.
54′ Min A few agricultural tackles coming in from Australia now. If they can avoid too many yellow cards it’s probably not a bad tactic. A Frenchman under attack historically doesn’t go well.
61′ Min Another big chance for France is halted by Australia. A beautiful one-two between Mbappe and Giroud gives Mbappe a golden chance but his shot is blocked thankfully for Australia. Three corners later and Australia have survived again. But for how long? Their defence has been heroic.
67′ Min France go close again. Griezmann fires the ball towards goal from the edge of the box and is heading for goal with the keeper nowhere near, but is cleared off the line by an Australian defender.
68′ Min GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL FOR FRANCE
The clearance delayed the inevitable as Kylian Mbappe scores not long after. Mbappe starts the move with a pass that goes across the face of goal untouched, on the other side is Ousmane Dembélé who fires a cross back across the six yard line and Mbappe is waiting and heads the ball into the net.
FRANCE 3 AUSTRALIA 1
71′ Min GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL FOR FRANCE
Olivier Giroud breaks the all time France scoring record with his second goal of the match. The goal was set up by a flying Kylian Mbappe down the left whose perfect cross was met equally perfectly by Olivier Giroud.
FRANCE 4 AUSTRALIA 1
81′ Min Just when France appear to have taken the foot off the accelerator they have another big chance. This time Kylian Mbappe is not quite able to control the ball with Mat Ryan closing in. With Australia’s second half attack looking pretty toothless, it’s now a matter of not losing by the biggest margin of the tournament so far. For Australia’s sake, let’s hope there’s not a ten minute added time special.
88′ Min A fine save from Mat Ryan stops a Ibrahima Konaté header from going in.
90′ Min Seven minutes of added time. How?
90′ +7 Min Australia are trying to the end and have one final shot on goal before the referee ends the pain. France looked awesome for most of the game, and the score was limited to only 4-1 because of Australia’s tenacity.
Final Score
FRANCE 4
Adrien Rabiot 27′ Olivier Giroud 32′ Kylian Mbappe 68′ Olivier Giroud 71′
AUSTRALIA 1
Craig Goodwin 9′
HT France 2-1
Player of the Match
Kylian Mbappe or Antoine Griezmann
Points of Interest
- The sneaky McDonalds ad squeezed into the coverage just before kick off makes us want to by McDonalds much less.
- As much as most fans love their teams to play attractive, passing football, nothing beats Route One when it leads to goals. Just like back in the glory days of Mark “Big Dukes” Viduka and co.
- The same applies at the other end. The second goal came about playing fancy passing football deep in your own territory against one of the best attacks in the world. You’re simply inviting pressure you should avoid.
Group D France v Australia Match Stats
Group D France v Australia Starting Teams
FRANCE (4-1-4-1)
1 Lloris
2 Pavard
18 Upamecano
24 Konaté
21 Hernández
14 Rabiot
8 Tchouaméni
11 Dembélé
7 Griezmann
10 Mbappé
9 Giroud
AUSTRALIA (4-1-4-1)
1 Ryan
3 Atkinson
19 Souttar
4 Rowles
16 Behich
13 Mooy
23 Goodwin
14 McGree
22 Irvine
7 Leckie
15 Duke
Group D France v Australia Match Preview
Why should you care?
Because France is one of the favourites for the tournament and are a star-studded side.
But ignoring all that is the stat of the last four European World Cup winners have all failed to miss the group stage. Surely France will break this curse in 2022, and anything less than a victory over Australia in their opener will keep that curse buzz alive.
Obviously for our Australian bias, we are interested in the Socceroos progress. Sneaking a draw in this game could significantly open up their chances. Decent kick off too, so got to soak that up while it is offered.
Who should you care about?
How about the front two of Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappé. Benzema is the current Ballon d’Or winner as best player in the world, and Mbappé is one of the best young footballers in the world. Good luck to the Australian defenders for that one.
Well, scratch Karim Benzema, who was ruled out of the World Cup.
We have included Kingsley Coman in our fantasy World Cup team, such is our opinion of the player. He’ll be one to watch just behind the all dominating front two mentioned above.
Hopefully Garang Kuol will get a game for Australia, with the exciting prospect off to the Newcastle in the Premier League in January, and a chance here against France to see why Newcastle think so highly of the Aussie forward.
Full 2022 World Cup Squads & Stats
Is there a barely interesting fact?
Australia have failed to win a game at their last two tournaments and six matches with a record form 2014 and 2018 of D1 L5. They have conceded 14 goals in those six games.
France (W3 D1) are undefeated v Asian sides at the World Cup.
Who will win?
France 3 Australia 0
Full 2022 World Cup Predictions
Group D France v Australia Match Review
Minutes that Mattered
Welcome to the briefest of match summaries, like a minute by minute except one that has only the minutes that matter.
Stay tuned after the match.
Group D France v Australia Match Stats
Coming after the match.
