Up next for Australia is an encounter with Denmark they cannot afford to lose. For France it’s Peru and another opportunity to find cohesion. For me, it’s time to bid you all farewell. Thank you for your company, catch you next time.
If you click the tab near the top of the page, you will now see Amy Lawrence’s full-time report.
Charles Antaki reminds us of one of the sidelines to today’s encounter. “The big video reveal from Griezmann last night was a bit of a damp squib - he’s staying put at Atlético - but given what else was going on in Spanish football at the time, he was always going to be onto a hiding to nothing. Perhaps if he’d done it as a rap?”
That would have been outstanding.
Steve Waterhouse, not so much. “France have brilliant players but, as per two years ago, are tactically inept... which must lie with Deschamps.” I’m sure there’ll be plenty of Guardian column inches on that subject in the coming days.
Finally! I found a happy camper, Dave Tole. “This is the way it should be, France start slow, creep through then improve and win the tournament and I clean up in the work sweep. What team ever started like a house on fire and carried that through to the final?”
Apologies for any correspondence I’ve missed. There was definitely some about Mark Lawrenson I couldn’t comment on because I’m not watching the BBC feed. Which sounds like it might be a blessing in disguise.
On a different note: “My wife,” that’s Scott Bassett’s wife, “does not give a flying eff about this whole mess, immediately began singing this for the Australia goal. Go on, sing along. you know you want to.
... and plenty of you are suggesting it might not have been a pen.
Matthew Nelson: “A) He incontrovertibly gets the slightest touch on the ball and B) He doesn’t clearly touch Griezmann.” Replays clearly show B is wrong, as for A, I can’t tell either way, certainly not enough to declare it incontrovertible.
“Going to be loads of penalties if the defender can’t get the ball then the man (even though the touch here was slight) on follow through,” writes David Seare. Which is one of the issues with VAR - should the on-field referee be overruled when there remains debate over the challenge?
Building on that, Hugh Molloy writes: “I’m pro VAR but that’s a shocker. Ref watches several hard to tell replays on a sun blasted monitor that suggests a penalty, gives it, then the crowd sees the money shot slow mo replay that shows a (slight but significant) touch therefore meaning not a certain penalty.”
VAR was obviously a major talking point.
Imagine this match 10 years ago with no VAR & no goalline technology. I wonder what the score would currently be? @JPHowcroft #FRAAUS #WorldCup @BBCF
— Nezza (@nezza) June 16, 2018
Plenty of correspondence coming in from disgruntled viewers upset at the behaviour of Lucas Hernandez. Here’s a couple of choice cuts to give you a flavour.
“The dramatics really took away from what was otherwise an exciting match,” emails Clare Lawrence. While Burt Bosma writes: “If I read correctly, the referees can now review incidents at half time and after the game. If that’s true, Hernandez should at the least be yellow carded for his constant simulation, diving on the ground and claiming he has been struck in the head when the replays show he has merely had normal body on body contact. If nothing happens, the new rule is pointless.”
Australian skipper Mile Jedinak: “We knew we had to be right at it from the start, maintain that discipline and focus. We got ourselves back in the game, felt ok, but they got that goal... We’re disappointed. We just didn’t have that luck. That’s football, we have to take the positives out of today and move on... If we maintain that form and discipline, structure, concentration throughout, let’s see where it gets us. I can’t fault the boys tonight.”
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“The French have been slightly underwhelming but Australia seem to be a lot more organised than I was expecting,” emails Phil Withall. “They seem to have adopted an attitude of ‘I know who you are but I know who I am’ and I’m liking it very much.” They have transitioned from a Postecoglou side to a Van Marwijk side very quickly.
Australian coach Bert van Marwijk: “I’m disappointed because I think we deserved a point. We can be proud of the way we played against one of the best teams in the world. Just before the 2-1 Juric could make the situation and there’s a tackle on him where they get a yellow card and the chance is gone.”
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What did we learn?
All the pre-tournament fears about France were laid bare. Masses of quality but little cohesion and plenty of work for Deschamps to figure out the right formula for tougher tasks. The use of Griezmann in particular must be of concern. Arguably France’s best player was peripheral before he was substituted.
Australia proved they are not the pushovers some expected. They offered little in attack but they ran their socks off for 90 minutes and defended with conviction. Sainsbury and Ryan were outstanding at the back while Mooy and Jedinak put in heroic shifts in midfield. Grounds for optimism against Denmark and Peru.
France 2-1 Australia
That is it. Far from vintage from France but they leave Kazan with three valuable points. Australia battled resolutely throughout but depart empty-handed.
90+5 min: Needless foul on Pogba on halfway. That could be it for Australia.
90+4 min: The more the game has stretched the more it has played into Kante’s hands. He’s been superb second half. He can’t interrupt Risdon’s excellent dash down the right though but the fullback’s cross is weak and cleared. Mooy picks up the scraps, feeds the ball out to the left but the eventual cross doesn’t find a gold shirt until it falls to Arzani outside the box but his shot is blocked.
90+3 min: Fekir has done well since he came on, offering France more in front of Australia’s defence than Dembele did trying to get in behind. He’s been a nuisance down the right hand side.
90+1 min: It will be longer than five minutes because Hernandez is milking an ‘injury’, not for the first time today.
90 min: France should have sealed the result. Kante does superbly to break up play and then set Mbappe away down the left, he does well to outpace Ryan and recycle possession but Fekir and Pogba make a mess of what could have been a near open goal.
Five minutes of stoppage time to be played.
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88 min: Australia are expending so much energy defending they have nothing in attack when they clear. France looking in control, finally, after a difficult day.
86 min: Since that second France goal Australia have been unable to wrestle any momentum in their favour. It’s not been helped by some cheap turnovers coming out of defence. The latest, by Behich, results in the fullback receiving a yellow card for his failed recovery efforts.
84 min: Final substitution for Australia and it’s the wunderkind Arzani, making his competitive debut in place of Kruse.
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GOAL! France 2-1 Australia (Pogba 81 min)
Out of nothing Pogba does it for France! Finally some interplay in midfield creates an opportunity with the Manchester United man striding into the box and lifting an improvised toe-poke volley above Ryan and in off the crossbar. The ball only just crossed the line but it was swiftly confirmed by technology. Heartbreak for Australia, relief for the big guns.
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80 min: Australia struggling to get numbers forward in attack when they clear their lines now. This could turn into ten minutes of attack versus defence.
77 min: Dear me, this is descending into an ugly old shambles. Neither side can string more than a couple of passes together. Still, Australia’s commitment cannot be questioned, especially in midfield where Mooy and Jedinak - now joined by Irvine - are snapping into Pogba and Kante at every opportunity.
Final change for France as Matuidi comes on for Tolisso.
75 min: Tiredness starting to creep in now with spaces opening in midfield where previously there was congestion. This is where France would look to Pogba to stamp his authority on proceedings. He’ll have to wait for a while though while Tolisso receives a yellow card for cynically hauling down Juric who was breaking dangerously from midfield.
74 min: It’s been a compelling contest but awfully scrappy, full of misplaced passes and rushed possession. The few moments of time on the ball France have enjoyed have displayed a lack of understanding amongst teammates, the latest example being Fekir failing to recognise Giroud’s movement.
72 min: France earn a corner that ends with Pavard blasting extravagantly high from outside the box. Australia clear their lines and slow the game down high up the field on their left.
71 min: More substitution interruption. This time it’s Irvine for Rogic for Australia. That will bolster Van Marwijk’s midfield while his side dig in for the draw.
69 min: Here come the subs. Giroud and Fekir for Griezmann and Dembele.
68 min: Giroud and Fekir look to be being readied by Deschamps. Meanwhile France work the ball into Australian territory down the left, switch to the right for the cross but it’s repelled easily by the massed ranks of gold shirts.
67 min: Ryan does well to rescue his defence from a sloppy backpass but he’s sharply off his line to deny Mbappe.
66 min: What have France got in this last half hour or so? Apart from the burst around their goal they’ve lacked fluency this second half. Deschamps yet to make any changes.
63 min: First substitution of the night is an Australian one. Andrew Nabbout worked hard for little reward, and he’s replaced by the Socceroos’ regular number 9 Tomi Juric.
62 min: Anyone remember Glenn Hysen conceding a penalty for Liverpool at Old Trafford back in the day? Umtiti’s indiscretion was like that.
GOAL! France 1-1 Australia (Jedinak pen 61)
Well, well, well. Jedinak, Australia’s penalty-taking specialist rolls the ball calmly to Lloris’ left and the underdogs are level.
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PENALTY
Blimey! Australia go down the other end, win a free-kick that Mooy swings into the box and Umtiti inexplicably swings an arm at the ball while he fails to connect with a header.
60 min: France have the bit between their teeth now and immediately break Australia’s defensive line again. Dembele doesn’t pull the trigger from a tight angle though and Australia smuggle the ball clear.
59 min: For advocates of VAR that was a great illustration of how it can be used effectively. The referee missed the decision in real time and it was overturned with the minimum of fuss. Uphill task now for Australia though.
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GOAL! France 1-0 Australia (Griezmann pen 58)
Griezmann blasts the ball to the stationary Ryan’s left. France have laboured but they have a precious lead.
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PENALTY!
VAR has intervened in a World Cup for the first time and it does so to prove Risdon got nothing on his challenge on Griezmann. The referee makes the charades hand gesture for TV, and then points to the spot. Risdon gets a booking too for his troubles.
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VAR!
55 min: Massive moment! France win the turnover and attack through the middle, Pogba sends a lovely weighted pass into Griezmann, he’s through on goal but Risdon nicks it away from his toes as he’s in on Ryan. The referee waves play-on, but he’s been invited to consult VAR...
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53 min: Decent from Australia, down the right this time, with Risdon getting ahead of Leckie and whipping a cross in. Nabbout makes his presence felt but he can’t fashion a shooting opportunity. Good signs for Australia though that their counterattacking may pay dividends as the game stretches.
51 min: Almost an opening for France who shift the ball nicely from back to front but the key pass to the overlapping Hernandez is overhit by Demebele. Let-off for Australia with Risdon caught out of position.
“Greetings from Geneva,” greetings Liam Murray. “They’ve set up a 12,000 capacity fazone, about 95% blue, as you’d expect, and they were very raucous -well, as raucous as French people get- before and during the first 15 minutes of the game, but now it’s like a church in here. France really lack leadership: where’s one of Thuram, Desailly, Barthez, Blanc, Deschamps or Zizou when you need them? I’m predicting an upset: one-nil to the Aussies, probably from a corner.”
48 min: Stoppage in play while Hernandez receives treatment. The France left-back has spent his fair share of this game on the deck with replays not favouring his resilience.
47 min: Nervy start to the half by Australia, the goalkeeper and both fullbacks making a bit of a horlicks of playing out from the back. France capitalise and begin probing around the box but a smart Milligan header releases the pressure.
Cut to close up of Giroud lacing up his boots on the bench. Can’t imagine he’ll be sat down for long.
46 min: Second half underway. No changes by either side just yet.
Ante Milicic, Australia’s assistant coach, has just been on the telly. He said words like discipline, block, energy, concentration - you get the drift.
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Ladies and gentleman, please return to your seats, the second half will commence shortly.
Tuning into your coverage. It’s 4am here in Costa Rica!!!
— Casitas Tenorio (@casitas_tenorio) June 16, 2018
The things I’d be doing if I was awake at 4am in Costa Rica...
While you’re still on your half time cuppa, nip over and select your favourite all-time Australian XI. Alan Davidson did, and it rattled a few cages.
“Care to take a crack at explaining why Deschamps seems to have no tactical plan for this team?” asks Adam Kline-Schoder. “Looks to me as though there is no link between the midfield and attack (maybe starting with two defensive midfielders wasn’t such a great idea?); Dembélé, Griezmann, and Mbappé can’t be bothered to do any defensive work; and the passing is SO poor, Pogba’s pass that you highlighted being a prime example. I don’t consider myself a fan of Les Bleus, but I find the current level of ineptitude incredibly frustrating given the amount of talent in that squad. They should be unstoppable, really.
Big shoutout to Australia, though. A very organised and hard-working defensive performance so far, with Sainsbury’s positioning, Ryan’s calmness, and Mooy’s willingness to get stuck in (in a way that I feel like I don’t usually see him do for Huddersfield) particularly impressive. Of slight concern is that they look rather toothless in attack, but that’s not a particular problem at the moment...”
I think you just did my job pretty well Adam. Thanks!
“France look like they just don’t enjoy playing football! No smile or willingness to show what they can do,” writes Neil Parmar. That has been the concern in the build-up to Russia for the French, does Deschamps have what it takes to extract the best from such a talented group of players? 45-minutes in and the jury is out.
“Hello Jonathan, Greetings from Perchtoldsdorf, Lower Austria,” thanks Nick Mangafas. “Shout out to our mate EdDog from Adelaide in Kazan at the match! Keeping fingers crossed we don’t get hammered but hoping for an upset like most Australians.” It’s going according to script so far.
Niall Mullen with a lovely troll from the late 80s/early 90s. “I hear David Hirst is going to Man United.” Ahhh, them’s the days...
Clare Lawrence with an opinion that is receiving a ringing endorsement on social media throughout Australia. “If someone could please remind the French that this is football not floorball that would be great. Seem to be spending more time falling and rolling than playing the game. Looking forward to a strong second half from the boys in gold.” Playing devil’s advocate, Australia have been a tad late on a few occasions, and the referee is very much in control.
Time for some correspondence:
“Hey Jonathan,” hey JR in Illinois. “Australia have been disappointingly unsuicidal. (Yeah, pretty sure that’s not a word but I’ll stick with it) I didn’t wake up at 4:45 AM to watch a Tony Pulis side. Nothing personal against the Socceroos but I was hoping for France to give them a major beatdown. I guess there’s still the second half.” JR - this is exactly how Australia have been preparing to play since Bert van Marwijk took the gig. He’ll be delighted with a scrappy 0-0 and then look to expand more against Denmark and Peru.
The Socceroos will be pleased with that first half, but - at the risk of stating the obvious - there’s a long way to go here at the sunny Kazan Arena. Australia boss Bert van Marwijk was in a philosophical mood at the pre-match press conference on Friday, musing: “Not always the best players win prizes. A lot of times it is the best team. We would like to be the best team.” A creditable first-half attempt - can the Socceroos repeat this effort in the second 45?
Half time - France 0-0 Australia
After an ominous opening ten minutes France have been well marshalled by Australia. Goalless at the break in Kazan.
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45+1 min: It’s been a while but Australia prosper down the left again, Behich overlapping nicely, fashioning a shooting opportunity for Leckie but his hooked effort is deflected away.
45 min: “Is it me, or is the pitch very lush and slow?” asks Huh Molloy. “Perhaps they’re trying to protect it by not watering it or maybe it’s just the heat. Either way it suits Australia that it’s hard to zip it about. Eyes open for sprinklers at half time.” Great observation Hugh, and one made at other venues early in this tournament.
43 min: Another half-chance snuffed out by Sainsbury. He has a knack of just arriving at the right time the Australian vice-captain, this time floating through the air to caress at volleyed clearance with Griezmann licking his lips.
41 min: It wouldn’t surprise me to see Giroud in the second half. On a few occasions France have played cute little balls to the feet of Griezmann but he’s too lightweight to hold off Australia’s centre-halves with his back to goal. It’s a strategy that needs a big lump like David Hirst, but he is neither French, nor an active professional footballer.
39 min: Exhibit A - An awful pass from Pogba. Misses his target from 15 metres away under no pressure.
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38 min: It’s descended into a scrappy game in Kazan with neither side stringing many passes together. Both defensive units are happy stroking the ball around amongst themselves but anything in a forward direction is swiftly leading to a turnover.
36 min: “Australia’s football, rugby and cricket teams are all playing simultaneously. Has this ever happened before?” Asks Justin Rigden. I don’t know the answer, but I do know my editor wishes he had one of those time-turner things from Harry Potter.
35 min: France enjoy a decent spell of possession for the first time in a while but despite shifting from side to side and bringing all the big guns into play Australia’s shape is solid and there’s no way through. When there is a minor lapse Mooy is hard at Mbappe to snuff out any danger. This is an increasingly impressive showing from the men in gold.
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33 min: The corner is floated gently into Ryan’s gloves.
32 min: More good defending from Australia but the counterattacking element of Van Marwijk’s gameplan remains a work in progress. Rogic this time failing to find a teammate with his back to goal.
From the transition France work space down the left for Hernandez to cross or shoot but Sainsbury is alert to concede the corner.
30 min: Australia are now controlling the tempo of this match, building up from the back nicely in repeat phases of play. From one such move Rogic darts through the lines and looks to draw a foul on the edge of the France box but Kante’s challenge is a fair one.
France go up the other end and first Mbappe and then Griezmann test the Australian defence, Sainsbury doing well to recover.
28 min: Good take from Lloris, coming about bravely to catch an outswinging Mooy free-kick. For our Australian readers it was a bit like the Leo Barry (you star) mark.
27 min: So much that hasn’t warranted an entry has involved the pace and trickery of Dembele and Mbappe. Often already today they’ve been a blade of grass or two away from breaking free or beating their man only to find fate blocking their paths. You can see the awesome potential though and expect it won’t be long before one of both cut loose.
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FIFA in their wisdom have put me among the British media rather than with the Australian press pack, and the Brits are pleasantly surprised by the fight Australia is showing so far. The Socceroos faithful are standing and making their presence heard, while the local fans recently broke into a somewhat incongruous chant of ‘Ros-si-ya’, ‘Ros-si-ya’. Let’s hope residents of Kazan will be cheering for the Aussies soon enough.
25 min: Van Marwijk’s selection gamble is paying off so far. The combination of Jedinak and Mooy in midfield has broken up play well, the latter in particular hassling Griezmann at every opportunity. They’re not crafting much going forward, but that will be of little concern while the score remains 0-0.
23 min: Big call from the referee. Demebele belts down the left flank with a full stride like Bolt doing the 200m, Sainsbury cutely bodychecks him but gets away without a free-kick.
22 min: After that dominant opening ten minutes France have struggled to find rhythm and Australia are growing into their stride, especially down the left. There’s little cohesion in the French midfield, it’s either too direct or too intricate.
20 min: “The pronouncing of Mooy reminds me of Kath and Kim - ‘look at Mooy, look at Mooy’”. Kevin Wilson is correct.
18 min: On replay the ball didn’t actually reach Sainsbury, it was deflected towards goal by a French defender. Terrific save nonetheless.
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17 min: Australia are getting a modicum of joy down their left and for the second time in recent minutes Kruse is grounded by Pavard, offering Mooy another crossing opportunity. It’s a beauty from the Huddersfield man, flicked on, and Sainsbury at the far post has a tap-in at the back stick but Lloris makes a superb save! Blimey, Australia so close against the run of play.
15 min: Alex Brown emails: “I saw the Australia Colombia friendly at Craven Cottage a couple of months ago. France 3-0.” The early indications are you may be right Alex, words typed while another through-ball just misses its target and lands in Ryan’s arms.
13 min: Leckie is the first name in the book. Australia’s right winger committed himself to a 50-50 that Hernandez reached a fraction in advance and the Uruguayan referee showed no mercy. Griezmann’s resulting free-kick is headed behind for a corner.
12 min: First opening for Australia. Some nice interplay down the left draws the foul from Pavard, handing the dangerous Mooy a crossing opportunity. His free-kick is flicked on at the near post but over the bar.
11 min: France are varying their methods of attack nicely. A direct ball in the channel this time is won in the air but Ryan is out sharply to nick it off the toenails of Griezmann.
10 min: Finally Australia get their time on the ball, building calmly from the back and then moving through the gears with Rogic. Nothing comes of it, but it will help build confidence after a shaky start.
8 min: Poor defending from Risdon offers France a dangerous free-kick around the corner of the penalty area. Mbappe takes it, it gets a deflection, but Ryan is alert again to snuff out any danger.
6 min: Another save by Ryan, low to his left this time, to deny a tame drive from the edge of the box by Griezmann. It was the product of a rapid counterattack following a brief Australian incursion. France look up for this, Australia just need to hang on during these opening exchanges.
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It may just be the visual advantage of yellow, but Australian fans seem far more numerous today at the Kazan Arena. They’re in full voice and stadium management obliged earlier with some Down Under by Men at Work.
4 min: Australia can’t get a foot on the ball. It’s all France, calmly circulating the Telstar 2 from one side to the other, looking for the vertical pass to Mbappe. One such ball forces Milligan into the kind of foul a defender concedes when he knows he’s beaten for pace on the turn. Pogba hits the free-kick from 30 metres or so out but it’s straight at Ryan.
2 min: France controlling possession in the early stages, and controlling it s l o w l y, trying to draw the sting out of Australia’s aggression.
That is until one methodical build-up down the right that ends with Mbappe in behind Sainsbury and forcing Ryan into a sharp save low to his left.
Peeeeeeeeeep!
Australia get the ball rolling in Kazan.
Andres Cunha is your referee for today. He is one of three Uruguayan’s alongside a Chilean to keep order. Don’t forget there’s VAR in operation too. It hasn’t interfered yet in Russia, but it will, trust me, it will...
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Handshakes and pennant swapping time. Question without notice - who manufactures pennants these days? Must be a niche industry.
Joseph Fitzgerald is on the ball. “A Flight of the Conchord’s reference? Nice. Although, they’re from New Zealand, so also not so nice. WE’RE NOT THERE JONATHAN STOP RUBBING IT IN.” Not to worry, you’ve already beaten France tonight, albeit in rugby, a sport New Zealand always wins.
Anthem time. One of the most spine-tinglingly brilliant, followed by one with the word girt in it.
Ooh, some correspondence just before kick-off.
“Morning Jonathan,” morning Simon McMahon, “looking forward to all today’s games, a nice little starter here with France v Australia. The French, as you’d expect, having some wonderful football phrases. Hoping for some café crème (top drawer skill) from Les Bleus, who will no doubt be trying to faire trembler les filets - literally make the net quiver - a few times against the Australians. Hopefully the pitch will not be a champ de patates.”
Merci beaucoup! Tres bon.
It’s a visually pleasing combination of kits in Kazan, France in their iconic Blue shirts with white shorts and blue socks, Australia in all gold, with what appear to be indications of seismic activity on the sleeves.
The two sides are gathering in the tunnel preparing to make their way out onto the pitch.
For kit nerds, this is an all-Nike affair.
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Elsewhere in Group C Peru have quickly established themselves as the neutral’s choice. Appearing in their first world cup in a generation, Peruvians have gone to extraordinary lengths to support their side.
It’s a beautiful sunny day here in Kazan - perfect weather for some afternoon football. While an opening encounter against France might not seem fortuitous, Australia is lucky to have its first match at the Kazan Arena - the team is based in the city and barely had a 10 minute drive from hotel to stadium. The French, on the other hand, have flown in from Moscow.
Kieran Pender, our man in Russia has checked in. We’ll be receiving live updates from the Kazan Arena throughout the game.
The good news for Australian supporters is this match is being broadcast on local free-to-air channel SBS. Yesterday’s clash between Uruguay and Egypt was the first to be screened only on streaming service Optus Sport, and technical glitches made for a horror night for the under fire service.
If there is one player under the microscope today it’s surely France midfielder Paul Pogba. Once the most expensive player in the world, Pogba has often struggled to live up to expectation. Marcel Desailly now insists Pogba must adjust to becoming a role player in such star-studded surroundings.
“I think Pogba has to accept that he is part of a midfield that will have to provide balance – that he won’t be the star of the team because I think potentially we have a three-man attack that can frighten any team in Russia.”
It’s nearly business time and conditions are perfect.
The warm-up is underway!#FiersdetreBleus #FRAAUS pic.twitter.com/TZGrGPjAMr
— French Team (@FrenchTeam) June 16, 2018
Today’s duel features the two youngest players at Russia 2018, the well-known Kylian Mbappe, and the soon-to-be superstar, Daniel Arzani.
Arzani only made his first professional start in January but he went on to take the A-League by storm, securing the competition’s young player of the year award. Currently hothoused in the Melbourne outpost of the City Football Group, Arzani’s ability to run with the ball at pace in the manner of his idol Ronaldinho has set him on the trajectory to superstardom. For the time being he will be limited to second-half cameos, but they will be the most anticipated minutes of any Australian this World Cup.
These countries have met just once before with something at stake and you might be surprised to find out Australia were the victors, back at the 2001 Confederations Cup.
France hold the upper hand in friendlies with two wins and a draw.
‘Aussie’ Kim showing her colours.
Come on @Socceroos !!! 💚💛⚽️ #Russia2018WorldCup #Australia
— Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) June 16, 2018
Unfortunately I’m not Richard Ayoade so my travel advice for today’s destination is pitiful. We’re in Kazan today, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, and a city with a population in the 1.2 million range - many of whom are students, a product of 30 universities sprouting from one Russia’s oldest cities. The Kazan Arena accommodates 45,000 fans and will host one of the quarterfinals. France and Australia are there, but should they have gone?
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Don’t miss the opportunity to select your all-time France XI.
Once you’ve done it, tell Marcel Desailly where he’s gone wrong with his.
Bert van Marwijk is urging Australia to ignore previous slow World Cup starts. “We had better not come to the stadium if we think like that,” he said. “We have worked very hard for four weeks and must believe.”
“We don’t want to be too tight. The idea is to be focused, be relaxed and play. We are going to bite into it with all our teeth as if it is a good apple.”
Didier Deschamps there evoking the image of dozens of Gallic dents chomping into one almighty Ariane in Amy Lawrence’s scene-setter from Kazan.
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While we wait for the action to commence you could treat your ears to the World Cup Daily podcast and catch up on all the latest from Russia. The highlight of today’s edition is undoubtably Jonathan Wilson comparing Egypt keeper Mohamed El-Shenawy to Terry Griffiths.
Australia XI
Australia’s starting line-up contains one change from the XI used by Van Marwijk in his two pre-tournament friendlies. Mile Jedinak returns as captain to anchor the midfield, taking the place of the desperately unlucky Massimo Luongo. All indicators before the match pointed to Jedinak missing out but the beard to be feared will feature. Luongo’s energy has been a facet of recent Australian performances but the QPR man must settle for a place on the bench.
Australia, your team is in!
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 16, 2018
⚽️ #FRAAUS
🗓 Sat, 16 June 2018
⌚️ 8pm AEST
🏟 Kazan Arena
📺 Live in Australia on @OptusSport and @TheWorldGame #GoSocceroos pic.twitter.com/QJDzdw6M8c
Australia will set-up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with a primary focus on defending in a compact mid-block and attempting to hit France on the counterattack through the pace of Matt Leckie, Robbie Kruse and Andrew Nabbout. Knitting the whole thing together will be the two stars of the side, Aaron Mooy and Tom Rogic, though the pair have yet to dovetail effectively at international level.
France XI
Didier Deschamps is putting his faith in youth at the start of France’s World Cup odyssey, selecting the youngest French World Cup side since 1930. Headlines include Ousmane Dembele and Corentin Tolisso getting the nod over Olivier Giroud and Blaise Matuidi while neither senior fullback has been risked because of injury, meaning Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez will add to their meagre international experience.
La composition de l'Equipe de France !! #FRAAUS pic.twitter.com/nvtRFIt355
— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) June 16, 2018
France will operate a 4-3-3 of sorts, designed to maximise the qualities of both Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann. The latter will roam behind a front two of Dembele and Klyian Mbappe in a terrifyingly quick and skilful attack.
Preamble
We’re only two days into Russia 2018 and we’ve already enjoyed sackfuls of goals, oodles of controversy and lashings of individual brilliance. Can the rage be maintained on day three?
Initial responsibility for keeping the party atmosphere alive falls to France and Australia.
France are not only favourites to progress from Group C but among the few nations considered capable of winning the whole kit and caboodle. Les Bleus’ squad reads like something assembled in Football Manager on cheat mode (don’t tell me you haven’t ever taken over a second team on a burner account and sold players on the cheap to the mothership). So formidable is the French assembly it has been assessed as the most valuable at the World Cup. And that’s without the likes of Anthony Martial and Alexandre Lacazette among the 23. Mon dieu!
With all this incredible talent at his disposal the pressure on coach Didier Deschamps is intense. Today’s opener against Australia is an important opportunity to show how he can mould his collection of superstars into World Cup winners. Anything other than a convincing victory over the fourth-ranked side in the group will lead to fierce scrutiny.
Little is expected of Australia, but that’s exactly how they like it. The Socceroos thrive on the underdog tag but it’s one that should be treated with caution. They are the Asian Cup holders and appearing in their fourth consecutive World Cup finals. This time they arrive under the stewardship of Bert van Marwijk, a coach with a track record of securing favourable World Cup results from unfashionable players.
Kick off is 1pm local time (8pm AEST in Australia/11am in the UK). If you’d like to contribute to the coverage feel free to email, tweet, or shout loudly enough for me to hear you.
