France edged out Australia 2-1 to claim all three points to go on top of the group C. Coach Didier Deschamps fielded an attacking side, which did not deliver as was expected. Underdogs Australia kept their cool for the duration of the match but found themselves trailing by a goal when the referee blew the final whistle. The match saw two contrasting halves with all the drama packed into the second 45 minutes which saw both VAR and goalline technology being called into play. Griezmann and Pogba scored for France while Jedinak scored Australia’s solitary goal.
It was an all-out French attack as soon as the referee blew the whistle. France opened strong with an attack-heavy side, with Mbappe, Griezmann and Dembele starting upfront. France dominated the first 10 minutes, hardly giving any time on the ball to the Aussies. Australian shot-stopper Mathew Ryan was forced to make four saves, two of which were free-kicks by Pogba and Mbappe. France thereafter struggled though, failing to find the rhythm. Australia eased into the game, often attacking from the left with pace. Coach Van Marwijk’s combination of Jedinak and Mooy were successful in breaking down the French midfield with Griezmann finding it hard to keep the ball. Australia’s first real chance came in the 17th minute when Mooy’s cross almost found its way to the back of the net, prompting Hugo Lloris to make a superb save.
Australia continued to control the match from the back, building up play, but failed to create enough chances. France were only a shade of their former selves—the zing that was there in the opening 10 minutes went missing. In fact, such was the defensive stubbornness of Australia that France didn't take a shot on goal since the 8th minute in the first half.
The second half looked more promising as both teams came out determined to get more than a point on the board. The first break came from France after they were awarded a penalty—thanks to VAR—in the 55th minute. The referee had initially waved play on after Griezmann was brought down in the penalty area following a through ball by Pogba. It was a historic moment for world football as it was the first time the video assistant referee intervened to give a decision. The Australian supporters, who had come out in numbers, did their best to put off Griezmann by booing him but the Atletico Madrid forward blasted home from the spot to give France the lead.
France did not have it their way for long as, barely three minutes later, Australia were awarded a penalty after a handball by Umtiti. Jedinak did what Griezmann did at the other end seconds later to level the score.
France looked determined to make amends, making a double substitution moments later with both Giroud and Fekir coming on for Griezmann and Dembele. France continued to show promise while attacking but a lack of understanding between their players was evident from the number of misplaced passes during the passage of play. The game looked set to be heading for a draw when Pogba, following some interplay in the midfield, toe-poked the Telstar 2 over the keeper and under the crossbar. Goalline technology confirmed that the ball had crossed the line.
In the end, it was a stout Australian defence versus a disjointed French attack. France may have won the match, but they would have a lot to think about if they are to have a realistic hope of making it into the farther end of the tournament. Australia can hold their heads high. They defied the odds to keep France at bay as much as possible but fate had other plans.