Olivier Giroud netted twice to turn out to be France’s joint file scorer as they fought again to place Australia to the sword, opening their World Cup defence with a 4-1 win in Group D on Tuesday, which silenced speak of a holders’ curse.
Australia had taken a shocking lead at Al Janoub Stadium when Craig Goodwin utilized a brilliant end to Mathew Leckie’s cross after 9 minutes, however France levelled when Adrien Rabiot headed residence and Giroud’s tap-in gave them the halftime lead.
Kylian Mbappe’s glancing header within the 68th minute was adopted by Giroud’s 51st worldwide aim three minutes later, drawing him degree with Thierry Henry as France’s all-time prime marksman.
French coach Didier Deschamps’s facet, who lead Group D after rivals Denmark and Tunisia drew 0-0 earlier on Tuesday, ended a run of poor begins for World Cup holders after the earlier three – Italy, Spain and Germany – all did not win their openers.
