France vs Australia LIVE World Cup 2018: Latest score, goals and updates from Kazan

France carry a huge expectation to win big in Group C and they kick off their World Cup campaign against Australia. 

Les Bleus are on a mission since losing the Euro 2016 on home soil to Portugal, but Didier Deschamps squad is expected to breeze through their group against Peru, Denmark and the Socceroos. With all four teams looking rich in talent, France needs to be extra wary if they intend to qualify to the final 16.  France right-back Djibril Sidibe is still suffering from a knee injury, so it looks like Benjamin Pavard is set to start in his place. 

Australia could drop Mile Jedinak but head coach Bert van Marwijk might play Massimo Luongo in central midfield. 

Both teams are looking strong, but France will have to battle it out for a win. 

Follow all the live action below…

---

Live Updates

Read more...

New updates availableRefresh

13:01

95 min: FULL TIME! France win their opening game of the 2018 World Cup but they can be very thankful to the technology on display today. 

 

Thanks for joining. Argentina v Iceland up next! 

12:51

94 min: Risdon with a tame effort on the edge of the box, easily cleared away. 

 

We're into the final minute of additional time and France have seemingly got away with one today against a very creditable Australia performance. 

12:50

93 min: Long throw incoming. 

12:50

92 min: Australia are giving it their all but they're on their last legs. 

 

Throw in deep in France territory. 

12:45

87 min: No. 

 

The free-kick is cleared away into touch and Australia have possession once again.

12:44

86 min: Free-kick to France on the edge of the box. Can they kill the game off? 

12:43

84 min: This game has technology at the forefront. 

 

VAR controversy but goal-line technology showed its worth there. 

 

No idea if the linesman would've given the goal without the technology - that was centimetres over the line. 

12:41

82 min: Australia will have to hit back once again and with such little time to do so, it's going to be a tough ask. 

12:39

79 min: GOAL! (France 2-1 Australia - Behich OG) 

 

France retake the lead...just! 

 

Nice interplay between Giroud and Pogba sets up an opportunity where Pogba flicked the ball towards goal but it actually took another nick off the unassuming Australian full-back, cannoning just off the bar and over the line. 

 

 

12:33

76 min: Tolisso booked for the most cynical challenge as Australia were on the break...

12:32

75 min: Fekir and Giroud not on the same wavelength and the ball casually rolls back to Australia. 

12:29

71 min: Corner to France falls to Pavard outside the box whose hopeful volley is high, wide and not very handsome. 

12:28

70 min: Celtic's Tom Rogic is to be replaced by another Celtic academy product, now of Hull City, Jackson Irvine. 

 

 

 

12:27

68 min: Samuel Umtiti lines up a speculative shot in an attempt to make amends for his error but is well blocked. 

 

Griezmann and Dembele go off with Giroud and Fekir replacing them. 

 

A bold decision from Deschamps in an attempt to turn this game in their favour. 

12:25

What's your opinion on the penalty debate? 

 

The game has calmed down slightly since the drama of 5 minutes ago. 

12:19

61 min: GOAL! (France 1-1 Australia - Jedinak) 

 

Deserved equaliser from Australia as Jedinak very cooly slots it past Lloris. 

 

Absolute madness from Samuel Umtiti though who handles the ball unchallenged. 

 

A pair of penalties in a 5 minute period. Game on! 

12:18

60 min: PENALTY TO AUSTRALIA! 

 

WOW. WOW. WOW. 

 

The referee has now given a penalty to Australia for the most ridiculous of handballs. 

 

Captain Mile Jedinak steps up. 

12:16

58 min: Australia fall asleep and Mbappe is away. 

 

His pullback falls to Griezmann whose shot is blocked but that could so easily have 2-0. 

 

Australia need to regroup, and fast. 

12:15

57 min: GOAL! (France 1-0 Australia - Griezmann)

 

Griezmann dispatches the penalty with aplomb to the right hand side. 

 

France lead but this decision is sure to be the talking point.

12:13

55 min: Well well well. Our first big VAR controversy of the tournament. 

 

It may have been minimal contact, but Josh Risdon DOES flick the ball. 

 

The Uruguayan referee has given the penalty, though. 

 

Griezmann to take. 

Next

Please allow a moment for the blog to load…

What time is kick-off?

France vs Australia kicks off at 11am BST.

Where can I watch it?

The game will be shown on the BBC.

Odds

France: 1/4

Australia: 9/1

Draw: 11/2

Prediction

France 3-1 Australia. 

France have a real chance of winning this game and their group if they keep it together. But they will have to fight for it as no doubt Australia will bring everything they have to the table.

 

But who do you think will win? Let us know by voting above.