Olivier Giroud joined Thierry Henry as France’s all-time main goalscorer with a brace because the holders roared again to beat Australia 4-1 and get their defence of the World Cup off to a flying begin Tuesday.

Australia took a shock lead at Al Janoub Stadium in Qatar with the sport simply 9 minutes outdated when Craig Goodwin scored.

France, whose build-up to the match was marred by accidents, noticed left-back Lucas Hernandez come off harm within the transfer that led to the purpose.

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Nevertheless, they recovered to equalise by means of Adrien Rabiot earlier than Giroud put them forward with a straightforward end within the thirty second minute for his fiftieth worldwide purpose.

Kylian Mbappe acquired his identify on the scoresheet within the second half and Giroud sealed the win to equal Henry’s document tally of 51 targets for France.

The win leaves them high of Group D after Denmark and Tunisia drew 0-0.

“It’s good to attain 4 targets, even when we might have had extra, and it’s a very good begin for us,” mentioned France coach Didier Deschamps.

On the age of 36, veteran AC Milan striker Giroud, who has 115 caps, is the oldest participant to attain for France at a World Cup.

But he virtually actually wouldn’t have been enjoying right here had Karim Benzema been match.

As a substitute, the withdrawal of the Ballon d’Or winner with a thigh harm on the eve of the match has performed into the arms of Giroud, who was a key participant for Deschamps in France’s triumphant 2018 World Cup marketing campaign however didn’t rating in Russia.

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“He deserves respect for performing on the very highest degree for thus a few years and delivering even when no one appeared to consider in him,” mentioned teammate Benjamin Pavard.

“I’m so happy for him as a result of he is a superb man. I hope he retains going and beats extra information.”

It’s not simply Benzema who’s lacking for Les Bleus, with Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante –- their beginning midfield duo 4 years in the past –- out of the match.

Centre-back Raphael Varane was not risked having not performed since struggling a leg harm enjoying for Manchester United a month in the past.

That meant Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate –- with 9 caps between them –- performed collectively in central defence whereas Rabiot joined Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield.

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