Thursday , March 28 2024

2018 FIFA World Cup – Group C: France just about beat Australia!

The 2018 FIFA World Cup continued on Saturday, June 16 afternoon with 1998 champions France just about beating Australia 2-1 at the Kazan Arena.

France were the better side on display against a defensive Australia early on, but the longer the first half lasted, the more Australia ventured out but after a disappointing first half it ended goalless.

VAR for the first-time in the history of a FIFA World Cup changed the decision of a referee in the 57th minute, when a Risdon foul on Griezmann resulted in a penalty, which Griezmann himself scored to give the Equipe Tricolore a 1-0 lead.

But the lead didn’t last month then at the other end Umtiti handled the ball in the area, penalty for Australia from which their captain Mile Jedinak equalised.

The game thereafter again lost pace, but the decider came in the 81st minute when Paul Pogba attacked and his attended chip was deflected by Behich into his own goal. It would stay 2-1 for France until the end.

FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 – Group C

France 2-1 (0-0) Australia

Goals: 1-0 Antoine Griezmann (58′ pen), 1-1 Mile Jedinak (62′ pen), 2-1 Paul Pogba (81′)

France: Lloris – Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Lucas – Kanté – Tolisso (78′ Matuidi), Pogba – Griezmann (70′ Giroud), Dembelé (70′ Fekir) – Mbappé
Subs: Areola, Mandanda, Kimpembe, Mendy, Rami, Sidibé, Lemar, N’Zonzi, Thauvin

Australia: Ryan – Risdon, Milligan, Sainsbury, Behich – Jedinak, Mooy – Leckie, Rogic (72′ Irvine), R. Kruse (85′ Arzani) – Nabbout (64′ Juric)
Subs: Br. Jones, Vukovic, Degenek, Jurman, Meredith, Luongo, T. Cahill, Maclaren, Petratos

Referee: Andres Cunha (URU)

Man of the Match: Antoine Griezmann (France)

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