FIFA World Cup 2022: Giroud becomes France's joint-leading scorer in 4-1 victory over Australia

By  India Blooms News Service   Nov 23, 2022

Doha/UNI: Holders France survived an early shock to open their title defence with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Australia at Al Janoub Stadium.

Olivier Giroud grabbed his 50th and 51st international goals to move alongside Thierry Henry atthe top of Les Bleus all-time scoring list, while Adrien Rabiot and Kylian Mbappe each contributeda goal and assist, reportedfifa.com

Few could have foreseen such a comfortable night for the reigning champions when the Socceroos snatched a shock eighth-minute lead.

Craig Goodwins expertly converted strike was the earliestgoal scored against the French at a World Cup since Bryan Robsons famous 27-second effort in 1982, and some wondered if Argentinas stunning loss to Saudi Arabia might not be the only shock of the day.

Rabiot, however, emerged as an unlikely first-half hero on his FIFA World Cup debut, first byheading home Theo Hernandezs inviting left-foot cross and then in unselfishly teeing up Giroudfor the simplest of finishes.

Mbappe then took centre stage in the second half, glancing in another superb delivery from Ousmane Dembele before producing a brilliant cross of his own for Giroud to power a record-equalling header past Mat Ryan.

(Images: UNI)