22.11.2022 22:02 h

France thump Australia 4-1 to launch World Cup defence

Die Franzosen feiern das Tor von Olivier Giroud (l) zum 4:1 gegen Australien.
Die Franzosen feiern das Tor von Olivier Giroud (l) zum 4:1 gegen Australien.

Olivier Giroud scored twice as World Cup holders France recovered from the shock of going behind to thump Australia 4-1 in their opener in Qatar on Tuesday.

Veteran striker Giroud drew level with Thierry Henry's all-time record of 51 goals for France and Adrien Rabiot and Kylian Mbappe also scored, after Australia took a surprise ninth-minute lead through Craig Goodwin.