FIFA World Cup: France’s strong debut in World Cup football, beat Australia 4-1, Girod, Mbappe the hero of the match

Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe starred as France thrashed Australia 4-1 to start their campaign at the FIFA World Cup on a high note. Mbappe scored one goal in Karim Benzema’s absence while assisting on one of Giroud’s two goals. Giroud equaled Thierry Henry’s national record of 51 goals in the 71st minute with a header from Mbappe’s cross. Giroud had failed to score in the last World Cup but scored in 2014.

France will have a chance to break Henry’s record when they face Denmark on Saturday. France coach Didier Deschamps said, “It is not only about chasing records but about their performance on the field. He is a very important player for us. Three minutes before Girod’s goal, Mbappe scored on Ousmane Dembele’s cross.

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Earlier, Craig Goodwin had stunned the French supporters with a goal in the ninth minute itself. Adrien Rabiot equalized for France in the 27th minute. Rabiot then assisted Girod’s first goal four minutes later. France are playing without their star striker Benzema who was ruled out of the World Cup due to injury.