Premier League

France 4-1 Australia- Highlights, Takeaways

France 4-1 Australia- Highlights, Takeaways

Under the bright lights of Al Janoub Stadium in front of nearly 40,000 people, the defending champions, France, yet again squared off against Australia in their group opener, just like they did in Kazan, Russia in 2018. 

After starting with a slumber and being slapped for it by the Socceroos, who had laid out a clear gameplan of locking their defences and pouncing on their opposition’s mistake, the beast within the French woke up and, barring a couple of un-punished blemishes, tormented the Aussies to emerge victorious, 4-1. 

Having soaked the first wave of French pressure, a fluent move started by Harry Souttar from defence and finished by Craig Goodwin gave Australia the advantage in the 9th minute.

In the 27th minute, Theo Hernández showed his class in France’s much-needed equaliser by producing a frisbee of a cross which was dispatched with authority by Adrien Rabiot. 

Soon after, Rabiot turned presser, ball-snatcher, and provider to Olivier Giroud’s first goal. In the second half, Les Bleus decided to wreak havoc on a now-subdued Australia.

In the 68th minute, the duo of French wingers combined for France’s third with Kylian Mbappé finally having his name on the scoresheet.

Within a span of three minutes, Mbappé and Co again flexed their muscles, as the number 10 waved his foot-wand and assisted Giroud for the striker’s international goal number 51 and France’s fourth. 

France still have wings

Much of the talk has focused on Les Bleus’ midfield, or the lack of it, and Karim Benzema’s injury, but this match was a good time to remind the world that the French (still) have wings, and they make them fly high. 

On either flank, throughout the game, Ousmane Dembélé and Mbappé ran the Socceroos’ wide defenders ragged. Just ask right-back Nathaniel Atkinson, who spent the game dancing to the PSG frontman’s tune but failed miserably. 

Dembélé and Mbappé shared a goal, two assists, six key passes, and eight dribbles between them.

Griezmann, who frequently dropped deep into the middle of the field, also performed a significant role. He was the connecting link that liberated and unlocked the potential of the French wide men, including Theo Hernández. Griezmann dispatched the most number of key passes in the team (6). 

The full-back Theo…

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