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Reuters
Reuters
Sport

France and Australia goalless at halftime

Soccer Football - World Cup - Group C - France vs Australia - Kazan Arena, Kazan, Russia - June 16, 2018 Australia's Mile Jedinak celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates REUTERS/Toru Hanai

KAZAN, Russia (Reuters) - France were held 0-0 at halftime by Australia in their World Cup Group C opener as their expected domination failed to materialise at the Kazan Arena on Saturday.

Kylian Mbappe, forming a fearsome attacking trio with Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele, tormented the Australia defence early on but the Socceroos held firm.

Bert van Marwijk's Australia team even had the best chance in the 17th minute when Aaron Mooy's free kick took slight deflections off team mate Mathew Leckie and France's Corentin Tolisso, forcing Hugo Lloris to tip the ball away.

Soccer Football - World Cup - Group C - France vs Australia - Kazan Arena, Kazan, Russia - June 16, 2018 Australia's Trent Sainsbury in action with France's Antoine Griezmann REUTERS/Jorge Silva

(Writing by Julien Pretot in Rostov-on-Don; Editing by Ken Ferris)

Soccer Football - World Cup - Group C - France vs Australia - Kazan Arena, Kazan, Russia - June 16, 2018 France's Antoine Griezmann in action REUTERS/Jorge Silva
Soccer Football - World Cup - Group C - France vs Australia - Kazan Arena, Kazan, Russia - June 16, 2018 Australia's Mile Jedinak celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates REUTERS/Toru Hanai
Soccer Football - World Cup - Group C - France vs Australia - Kazan Arena, Kazan, Russia - June 16, 2018 France coach Didier Deschamps REUTERS/Toru Hanai
Soccer Football - World Cup - Group C - France vs Australia - Kazan Arena, Kazan, Russia - June 16, 2018 Australia's Trent Sainsbury in action REUTERS/Toru Hanai
Soccer Football - World Cup - Group C - France vs Australia - Kazan Arena, Kazan, Russia - June 16, 2018 Australia's Mile Jedinak in action with France's Ousmane Dembele REUTERS/Sergio Perez
Soccer Football - World Cup - Group C - France vs Australia - Kazan Arena, Kazan, Russia - June 16, 2018 Australia fan before the match REUTERS/John Sibley
Soccer Football - World Cup - Group C - France vs Australia - Kazan Arena, Kazan, Russia - June 16, 2018 Australia's fans REUTERS/Sergio Perez
Soccer Football - World Cup - Group C - France vs Australia - Kazan Arena, Kazan, Russia - June 16, 2018 World Cup mascot Zabivaka poses before the match REUTERS/John Sibley
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