VAR and Paul Pogba get France over the line against Australia
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Updated 16/06/2018 at 14:13 GMT
World Cup Group C, Kazan - France 2 (Griezmann 58 pen, Pogba 80) Australia 1 (Jedinak 62 pen)
France's midfielder Paul Pogba (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal
Image credit: Getty Images
France scored the first ever World Cup penalty awarded by VAR but needed Paul Pogba to rescue them with a late winner as they laboured to a 2-1 win over Australia in Group C.
Les Bleus started with a mouthwatering front three of Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann but looked disjointed and below-par against a physical and defensively organised Socceroos side.
Bert Van Marwijk's side created the best chance in the first half with Matthew Leckie’s deflected header saved by Hugo Lloris and they looked good value for a draw until Antoine Griezmann was awarded a contentious penalty from VAR after a tackle from Josh Risdon which he duly dispatched.
But the Soccerros equalised a few minutes later through a penalty of their own from Mile Jedinak after Barcelona’s Samuel Umiti inexplicably put his arm up to handle the ball following a free-kick.
With the Aussies tiring in the closing stages, Didier Deschamps’ side still looked predictable in their play but took advantage of some good fortune to grab the winner when Pogba’s shot hit Aziz Behich and went in off the crossbar to snatch the three points.
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French players celebrate after scoring their first goal on a penalty kick during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group C football match
Image credit: Getty Images
TALKING POINT
How concerned should the French be about this performance? After a bright start, Deschamps' side looked lethargic and predictable for the most part. Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez did not make a strong case to be the full-backs going forward while Pogba flickered in and out of the game as he has done for Manchester United. The front three looks great on paper but there was no real cohesion between them; Oliver Giroud may be a better option for the Peru game on Thursday.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Trent Sainsbury (Australia): Great name, great performance. The centre-back was immense with his positioning and reading of danger; he gave the French forwards little time and space to breathe and typified their physical style of defending.
PLAYER RATINGS
France: Lloris 7, Pavard 4, Varane 6, Umtiti 4, Hernandez 5, Pogba 5, Toliso 5, Kante 6, Griezmann 8, Mbappe 5, Dembele 5. Subs: Giroud 5, Fekir 5, Matuidi n/a.
Australia: Ryan 7, Milligan 7, Behich 6, Risdon 6, Sainsbury 9, Mooy 8, Jedinak 8, Rogic, Leckie, Kruse, Nabbout. Subs: Juric 6, Irvine 5.
KEY MOMENTS
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Mile Jedinak of Australia celebrates scoring his side's first goal with team mates Andrew Nabbout and Robbie Kruse during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between France and Australia at Kazan Arena on June 16, 2018 in Kazan, Russia
Image credit: Getty Images
16’ - GREAT SAVE! Australia have a free-kick on the left flank after a late challenge from Pavard. Mooy's cross is flicked on with a header from Leckie, it hits Toliso and Lloris palms it away.
55’ - VAR IN ACTION! The referee wants to check Risdon's challenge from Griezmann again, the defender appeared to get the ball but a penalty is awarded!
58’ - GOAL FOR FRANCE! Griezmann hammers the penalty into the corner, Ryan did not move. The VAR debate will rumble on after this..
61’ - PENALTY TO AUSTRALIA! Kante is penalised for a foul and its a free-kick near the box. Mooy's deivery is handled by Umiti, who stick his arms up in the air for some strange reason.
62’ - GOAL FOR AUSTRALIA! Jedinak coolly slots the ball in and sends Lloris the wrong way to make it 1-1.
80’ - GOAL FOR FRANCE! Pogba trades passes with Giroud before his shot hits Behich and goes over the line off the crossbar. But VAR is checking..
KEY STATS
- France have won their opening game in two consecutive World Cups for the first time in their history (v Honduras in 2014 & v Australia in 2018).
- The two penalties scored in the game between France & Australia were only 4 mins, 7 secs apart - the shortest period of time between two penalties being scored by different sides in a World Cup match.
- Griezmann has been directly involved in nine of France's last 12 goals in major tournaments, with seven goals and two assists.
THE MATCH IN A TWEET
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