Socceroos outclassed by France in first World Cup recreation in Qatar, with 4-1 scoreline placing Australia in deep gap

The Socceroos’ possibilities of getting out of their group are in fast strife after a heavy loss to France to kick off their Qatar World Cup marketing campaign. 

Already lengthy odds to complete within the high two of Group D alongside the French reigning champions, Denmark and Tunisia, the Socceroos weren’t helped by a 4-1 loss to Les Bleus at Al Janoub Stadium.

It got here on the again of a 0-0 draw between Denmark and Tunisia, leaving Australia final within the group after the primary day of matches.

Paris Saint Germain famous person Kylian Mbappé was always threatening and performed a component in three of France’s objectives, with fellow winger Ousmane Dembélé additionally influential and Olivier Giroud’s double equalling Thierry Henry’s report of 51 objectives for France.

“They’re world champions for a cause,” Socceroos coach Graham Arnold mentioned.

“The primary half we did nicely, second half we ran out of legs a bit.”

And it had began so nicely.

Australia shocked France by taking the lead within the ninth minute, when defender Harry Souttar unleashed Mat Leckie down the best wing with a sensational diagonal ball excessive, and Leckie’s cross was poked into the highest of the web by Adelaide United captain Craig Goodwin on the far submit.

Which may have given the Australians hope of emulating Saudi Arabia’s upset of a worldwide soccer energy from mere hours earlier, particularly as France misplaced defender Lucas Hernandez to a non-contact leg harm as he tried to cease the purpose.

However it all appeared to awaken a sleeping big, as France’s world-class expertise started to make an affect.

The stress ultimately advised when, after reloading from a cleared nook, Hernandez’s brother, Theo, crossed into the field and Adrien Rabiot nodded the ball previous Mat Ryan.

5 minutes later, a expensive turnover from Nathaniel Atkinson deep in Socceroos territory, adopted by some neat interaction between Rabiot and Mbappé, led to Giroud’s fiftieth worldwide purpose and a 2-1 lead for France.

It may have, and doubtless ought to have, been 3-1 simply earlier than half-time when Mbappé missed two-thirds of open purpose after a neat run and cross from Antoine Griezmann.

On the different finish, Jackson Irvine got here inside a whisker of equalising as he hit the submit along with his header, however the first half ended with the identical ultimate scoreline because the corresponding match in Russia 4 years earlier.

Giroud nearly added a stunner with a bicycle kick to begin the second half, however his miss did little to alleviate the stress on Australia, led largely by the tempo and ability of wingers Mbappé and Dembélé.

They mixed for France’s third within the 68th minute, when Mbappé nodded house a cross from Dembélé, and Mbappé turned distributor three minutes later when he skinned Atkinson earlier than breaking down the left wing and curling in an ideal cross for Giroud to go house and equal the French goal-scoring report.

The tiring Socceroos held off a number of extra attacking raids earlier than the full-time whistle and now want to arrange for his or her second match towards Tunisia on Saturday evening (AEDT).