France’s World Cup title defense got off to a rocky start—before turning into a coronation for one of its all-time great players.
Australia struck for a ninth-minute goal that rattled Les Bleus, but Olivier Giroud scored twice as part of a furious comeback, tying Thierry Henry’s national scoring record in the process with his 50th and 51st career international goals. Adrien Rabiot and Kylian Mbappé scored as well, staking France to a 4–1 win that is enough to claim first place in Group D after one game. In the group’s other match Tuesday, Denmark and Tunisia played to a scoreless draw.
Les Bleus began their title defense just days after learning that star forward and reigning Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema will have to miss the duration of the tournament. He joins the likes of Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kanté, Christopher Nkunku and Presnel Kimpebe as spectators, hoping that France can win in their absence.
