France edge out Aussies in tight Group C opener
Paul Pogba’s bizarrely deflected strike rescued France after failing to impress against Australia.
Paul Pogba’s eventual winner came after the first VAR intervention in World Cup history, which awarded France with the penalty that broke the deadlock.
Antoine Griezmann converted from the spot, but moments later Australia had a spot kick of their own following Samuel Umtiti’s inexplicable handball. Mile Jedinak coolly slotted home.
France manager Didier Deschamps went into the game with a wealth of attacking options. The auspicious-looking three-pronged attack of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele were chosen over Olivier Giroud, who was left on the bench.
Despite the anticipation of France’s superb squad, they largely flattered to deceive.
Mbappe’s early positivity – including a palm-stinging strike inside two minutes – quickly dwindled and Dembele was anonymous.
Antoine Griezmann won and scored the penalty that finally prised open a pedestrian encounter, but he will still look for improvement having been unable to convince against Group C’s supposed weakest team.
Australia might feel hard done by, however their organisation and determination against one of the pre-tournament picks was respectable.
And, through Huddersfield midfield Aaron Mooy, they had distinct threat that should come in useful against Denmark and Peru.
It was his dangerous delivery Samuel Umtiti, in a moment of madness, handled to give Australia their penalty.
VAR makes its bow
Before Saturday the contentious technology had yet to be used in all four of the opening World Cup matches.
That changed here.
Originally Uruguayan referee Andres Cunha waved away claims of a penalty when Griezmann went down under the challenge of Josh Risdon. But, he consulted VAR and after a short delay awarded the spot kick France wanted.
Upon several replays it was still unclear as to whether it was a ‘clear and obvious’ (the words exaggerated when talking about VAR) penalty, however Griezmann cared little and swept it away with aplomb.
Minutes later VAR checked Umtiti’s handball – an understandably short review – and late on it was Goal-Line Technology the deciding factor in Paul Pogba’s flicked finish.
It has been an ongoing issue in English football when it has been tested out, but VAR in the most part was used efficiently here. Whether the penalty decision was correct is another matter entirely.
Flat France escape without scrapes
When the lineups were released, French fans must have looked at their forward trio in mouth-watering anticipation.
And when Kylian Mbappe scorched through 90 seconds in, forcing a save out of Mat Ryan, the optimism would have intensified.
France couldn’t build on their quick start, and struggled for invention and cutting edge on a frustrating day.
Mbappe showed flashes of his electric speed, but not nearly enough, and Ousmane Dembele’s injury troubles at Barcelona seem to have abruptly halted his progress as a rising superstar.
Midfielders Paul Pogba and Corentin Tolisso rarely supported the isolated attackers, and the full backs hardly got involved – poor performances from both Lucas Hernandez and youngster Benjamin Pavard.
Australia have reasons to smile
It might not have been the result the Socceroos wanted, however their clan of gold-coloured supporters shouldn’t come away disheartened.
Not only did Australia show resolve and stubbornness at the back, a route to goal through set pieces quickly became evident.
Aaron Mooy managed to get almost every one of his free kicks into an area of French discomfort. When Corentin Tolisso nearly skewed into his own net, but for the telling glove of Hugo Lloris, Australia grew in confidence.
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It was ultimately to no avail, but optimism ahead of crucial clashes with Denmark and Peru is key.