France vs Australia LIVE: World Cup 2022 latest score and updates after Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud goals

Australia gave France an early scare before the defending World Cup champions turned on the style in a 4-1 win in their Group D opener.

Craig Goodwin gave the Socceroos a shock lead after just nine minutes with a composed finish at the back post and France looked out of sorts in the early stages.

But Adrien Rabiot’s header pulled France level before Olivier Giroud scored a second within five minutes as the 2018 World Cup winners turned the match around.

Kylian Mbappe got off the mark for the World Cup in the second half from Ousmane Dembele’s cross, before Giroud scored his second to level Thierry Henry as France’s record scorer with his 51st international goal.

It leaves France top of Group D after Denmark and Tunisia shared the points in a goalless draw earlier in the day. Follow all the reaction from Al-Janoub Stadium with our live blog below.

France vs Australia latest updates

• FULL TIME: France begin World Cup title defence with 4-1 win over Australia

• 72’ GOAL! Giroud levels Henry as France’s record scorer with second of the night (FRA 4-1 AUS)

• 68’ GOAL! Mbappe off the mark to score France’s third (FRA 3-1 AUS)

• 45+1’ POST! Irvine goes close before half time but header bounces out (FRA 2-1 AUS)

• 31’ GOAL! Giroud finishes slick France move to score 50th international goal (FRA 2-1 AUS)

• 27’ GOAL! France hit back as Rabiot scores header from Hernandez cross (FRA 1-1 AUS)

• 9’ GOAL! Australia take shock lead as Goodwin pounces at back post (FRA 0-1 AUS)

• Denmark drew 0-0 with Tunisia in other Group D game at Qatar World Cup today

France 4 - 1 Australia

France 4-1 Australia

21:14 , Alex Pattle

“A striker who was supposed to be dispensable now has only one equal.

“That’s the story of Olivier Giroud, who just keeps going, and keeps scoring. The 36-year-old finally got the goal he didn’t in 2018 to claim his first in the World Cup in eight years before quickly following it with another. That made it 4-1 to France against Australia and was also the 51st goal of his international career, to match Thierry Henry’s record.

“Giroud may well surpass that in this tournament, a World Cup he wasn’t even expected to start in. This was precisely why Karim Benzema’s injury wasn’t seen as anything close to a disaster by the French, despite his immense quality.

“They’d already won a World Cup with Giroud and, far from the Real Madrid player taking them to another level, the belief is that the team just works better with the Milan striker. He links it all together. Kylian Mbappe certainly enjoys playing with him.

“As regards levels, the reality of this game was that a plucky but hugely limited Australia just couldn’t get close to France.”

Match report by Miguel Delaney in Qatar:

France just reminded the World Cup why they are defending champions

France 4-1 Australia

21:05 , Alex Pattle

France with one of the finest performances of the group stage so far. England’s 6-2 win against Iran stands out, too, of course, while Argentina have already fallen to Saudi Arabia, and Netherlands left it late to see off Senegal.

France 4-1 Australia

21:03 , Alex Pattle

Goodwin’s early goal for Australia was cancelled out by Rabiot, before France added three more through Mbappe and Giroud, the latter netting twice to join Henry as the nation’s record goalscorer.

France 4-1 Australia

21:00 , Alex Pattle

Full-time: Winning start for France! The champions overcome an early blip to breeze past Australia in the end.

France 4-1 Australia

20:57 , Alex Pattle

90+4 mins: Mooy goes into the book for a mistimed sliding challenge on T Hernandez, whose brother Lucas went off injured earlier...

T Hernandez does down with a cry of pain, but thankfully he’s okay to play on.

France 4-1 Australia

20:55 , Alex Pattle

90 mins: Seven minutes of added time to come.

France 4-1 Australia

20:54 , Alex Pattle

90 mins: France go close again! Konate’s close-range header is saved well by Ryan!

France 4-1 Australia

20:53 , Alex Pattle

88 mins: Another couple of French substitutions, as Pavard and Giroud come off for Jules Kounde and Marcus Thuram.

France 4-1 Australia

20:48 , Alex Pattle

85 mins: Two more substitutions from Australia: Irvine and Atkinson are replaced by Milos Degenek and Keanu Baccus.

France 4-1 Australia

20:46 , Alex Pattle

83 mins: A rare poor touch from Mbappe, as he fails to control a delicious chipped pass from Griezmann on the angle.

France 4-1 Australia

20:42 , Alex Pattle

79 mins: Upamecano wins a couple of challenges in a row then glides out from the back. Irvine knicks him from behind, though, and the France centre back hits the deck while winning a free kick.

France 4-1 Australia

20:41 , Alex Pattle

Not a bad picture!

France 4-1 Australia

20:39 , Alex Pattle

76 mins: Two changes for France, as Tchouameni is replaced by Wesley Fofana, and Dembele is replaced by Kingsley Coman.

France 4-1 Australia

20:37 , Alex Pattle

74 mins: McGree and Australia goalscorer Goodwin are replaced by Awer Mabil and Garang Kuol.

France 4-1 Australia

20:36 , Alex Pattle

73 mins: Mbappe turns provider here, dashing to the byline then clipping a cross in for Giroud from the left.

Giroud rises and nods it home, taking a bit of a clatter as he does so!

He seems okay, and happy to have tied Henry’s record of course!

GOAL! France 4-1 Australia (Giroud, 72)

20:35 , Alex Pattle

72 mins: ANOTHER FRANCE GOAL, GIROUD’S SECOND OF THE DAY!

He ties Henry’s France record of 51 for Les Bleus!

France 3-1 Australia

20:34 , Alex Pattle

France 3-1 Australia

20:33 , Alex Pattle

69 mins: Dembele whips a nasty ball across the face of the Australia goal from the byline on the right, and Mbappe jumps to head it off the post and in!

GOAL! France 3-1 Australia (Mbappe, 67)

20:31 , Alex Pattle

67 mins: GOAL FOR FRANCE!! Mbappe doesn’t miss this one!!

France 2-1 Australia

20:30 , Alex Pattle

67 mins: SO CLOSE!

A lovely give-and-go between T Hernandez and Mbappe sees the former storm into the Australia box and cut it back for the latter...

But Mbappe misses it, only for Griezmann to slide a low shot towards goal, where he’s denied by a terrific goal-line clearance!

France 2-1 Australia

20:26 , Alex Pattle

63 mins: France have a corner on their left now, and it’s whipped in for Konate, who climbs but can only head the ball over the Australia crossbar.

France 2-1 Australia

20:24 , Alex Pattle

61 mins: Chance for France!

Mbappe receives the ball just outside the Australia box with his back to goal. He lays it off to Giroud, who returns the favour by slipping a ball through the defensive line, as Mbappe spins to get on the end of it...

He does, but a crucial late challenge from Rowles denies the PSG forward a clean shot!

France 2-1 Australia

20:22 , Alex Pattle

59 mins: It’s all France right now. They’re staying patient on the ball, while Australia are looking to stay compact and disciplined with their shape.

France 2-1 Australia

20:19 , Alex Pattle

56 mins: Duke, who just picked up a booking, is replaced by Jason Cummings up front for Australia.

France 2-1 Australia

20:18 , Alex Pattle

55 mins: A note that Giroud’s goal saw him move to within one goal of Thierry Henry’s France record of 51.

France 2-1 Australia

20:16 , Alex Pattle

54 mins: A wasted free kick from Mbappe, who curls one over everybody in the Australia box from the left wing, with the ball going out for a goal kick.

France 2-1 Australia

20:13 , Alex Pattle

50 mins: WHAT AN EFFORT!!

Hernandez clips a cross into the Australia box from the left, and Giroud tries a bicycle kick!

It bounces down into the turf and kicks up towards goal... but goes wide!

Great effort from the striker.

France 2-1 Australia

20:10 , Alex Pattle

47 mins: Australia win a corner on their right, but Griezmann heads it away at the near post.

France 2-1 Australia

20:08 , Alex Pattle

46 mins: Back under way!

France 2-1 Australia

19:57 , Alex Pattle

First half highlights

France 2-1 Australia

19:52 , Alex Pattle

Half-time: France come from behind to lead at the break!

The defending champions conceded early as Goodwin slammed home a finish at the back post, completing a move that also saw Lucas Hernandez injured for France.

But Les Bleus equalised through a Rabiot header, before going ahead thanks to a close-range Giroud finish at the end of a slick attack.

Irvine then clipped the post with a header for Australia, just before half-time!

France 2-1 Australia

19:48 , Alex Pattle

45+2 mins: POST!

All of a sudden Australia go close!

Irvine gets on the end of a cross from the left, and he heads the ball downwards and goalwards...

But it bounces onto the outside of the post and then away!

France 2-1 Australia

19:47 , Alex Pattle

45 mins: CLOSE! France should have another!

A wonderful ball is clipped diagonally out to Griezmann from the France defence. He flicks it across goal with the outside of his boot, and Mbappe is surging into the box in an effort to meet it...

He gets there just a few yards from goal, but he sends the ball well over the crossbar!

Six minutes of added time.

France 2-1 Australia

19:43 , Alex Pattle

43 mins: Australia are under a lot of pressure now.

Behich wants a foul given against Dembele, who escapes one and skips past the Australian on the right wing.

He passes to Mbappe, who plays yet another back-heel, this one to Griezmann... who drives a low shot narrowly wide of the Australia goal!

France 2-1 Australia

19:41 , Alex Pattle

39 mins: France work the ball up the left wing, and Mbappe receives it on the corner of the Australia box.

He cuts inside and squares it through the penalty area, but Dembele is stretching as he tries to direct it goalwards, and the ball goes over the bar and out for a goal kick.

France 2-1 Australia

19:38 , Alex Pattle

France 2-1 Australia

19:37 , Alex Pattle

France 2-1 Australia

19:35 , Alex Pattle

France 2-1 Australia

19:34 , Alex Pattle

33 mins: Australia are a bit sloppy as they play the ball out the back after a goal kick, and goalscorer Rabiot knicks it on the left flank.

It falls for Mbappe, who hops and rolls a back-heel back to Rabiot. The midfielder then cuts a pass back into the centre of the France box, where Giroud steps up to it and passes it home from about six yards out!

GOAL! France 2-1 Australia (Giroud, 32)

19:32 , Alex Pattle

31 mins: AND FRANCE LEAD!

It’s such a lovely move from the left, and it ends with Giroud tucking away a close-range finish!

France 1-1 Australia

19:30 , Alex Pattle

GOAL! France 1-1 Australia (Rabiot, 27)

19:28 , Alex Pattle

27 mins: FRANCE EQUALISE!

They saw their corner cleared, but the second phase ends with T Hernandez swinging in a cross from deep on the left...

And Rabiot leaps to meet it, directing a fine header past Ryan and into the back of the net!

France 0-1 Australia

19:27 , Alex Pattle

26 mins: Dembele slides a pass into the Australia box, where Griezmann rushes in to meet it.

Rowles intercepts and concedes a corner, but France see it headed away.

France 0-1 Australia

19:25 , Alex Pattle

25 mins: Mbappe spins his man and races up the left wing towards the Australia box, but there is Souttar to cover for his teammate!

He smashes the ball out for a France throw-in.

France 0-1 Australia

19:24 , Alex Pattle

A moment that will be remembered throughout this whole tournament and, if Australia win this game, for years and years to come.

France 0-1 Australia

19:22 , Alex Pattle

21 mins: CLOSE!

T Hernandez with a sloppy pass in his own half, after darting inside from the left.

Duke pounces on it and DRILLS a shot towards the top corner from range!

It rises just a bit too much, though!

France 0-1 Australia

19:20 , Alex Pattle

20 mins: France are probing now, largely through Dembele, who is cutting in from the right flank.

France 0-1 Australia

19:16 , Alex Pattle

16 mins: Lucas Hernandez’s night is very much over. He’s replaced by his brother Theo in the France defence.

France 0-1 Australia

19:16 , Alex Pattle

15 mins: Another angle of that Goodwin goal...

France 0-1 Australia

19:15 , Alex Pattle

14 mins: Griezmann is floating about; he was occupying some spots out on France’s right before but is now on the left wing.

France 0-1 Australia

19:13 , Alex Pattle

France 0-1 Australia

19:12 , Alex Pattle

12 mins: Already struggling with injuries, France now look set to be without Hernandez.

He’s helped off the pitch and will hope that this doesn’t mark the end of his tournament...

France 0-1 Australia

19:11 , Alex Pattle

10 mins: Australia break on their right flank, where Hernandez goes down and wants a foul...

None is given, and the ball is squared across the France box to Goodwin, who floats in totally unmarked!

He SLAMS a first-time, left-footed shot high into the net past Lloris! Wow!

GOAL! France 0-1 Australia (Goodwin, 9)

19:10 , Alex Pattle

9 mins: WHAT DID WE JUST SAY?!

AUSTRALIA TAKE THE LEAD!

France 0-0 Australia

19:08 , Alex Pattle

8 mins: An ancouraging spell of possession from Australia, who some feared might get blown away here.

There’s still plenty of time for that... but Argentina’s loss to Saudi Arabia earlier today was evidence that you can’t write off any team...

France 0-0 Australia

19:06 , Alex Pattle

6 mins: Another tricky run from Mbappe, who ghosts through the Australia defensive line from the left wing.

He eventually runs into two defenders, and the Socceroos clear their lines. France will build again from the back.

France 0-0 Australia

19:04 , Alex Pattle

3 mins: Australia with their first attack.

They work the ball to the edge of the France penalty area, where McGree’s eyes light up... but he drags his low shot well wide of Lloris’ goal.

France vs Australia

19:02 , Alex Pattle

2 mins: Early glimpses of Dembele and Mbappe’s talent.

Dembele sears past his man on France’s right flank, then clips a deep cross to Mbappe, who twists one way then shimmies the other to get into the Australia box.

France win a corner, which Mbappe takes, but it’s headed clear.

France 0-0 Australia

19:00 , Alex Pattle

Kick-off: We’re under way!

France’s world title defence begins here!

France vs Australia

18:57 , Alex Pattle

No Benzema, no Pogba, no Kante – all are injured.

Let’s see how a still-formidable France fare in their absence.

France vs Australia

18:57 , Alex Pattle

Australia’s anthem plays; kick-off is just moments away!

Don’t go anywhere.

France vs Australia

18:55 , Alex Pattle

France vs Australia

18:55 , Alex Pattle

The French national anthem is up first.

France vs Australia

18:53 , Alex Pattle

Here come the teams!

France vs Australia

18:53 , Alex Pattle

France vs Australia

18:45 , Alex Pattle

T-minus 15 minutes until kick-off!

A reminder of the starting XIs:

France: Lloris, Pavard, Upamecano, Konate, L Hernandez, Rabiot, Tchouameni, Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe, Giroud.

Australia: Ryan, Atkinson, Souttar, Rowles, Behich, Mooy, Goodwin, McGree, Irvine, Leckie, Duke.

France vs Australia

18:38 , Alex Pattle

“Take Karim Benzema out of the Real Madrid side last season and it is entirely uncontroversial to suggest they would not have won La Liga or the Champions League; not without his 44 goals in 46 games. Remove him from the France team and there is a case to say their chances of winning the World Cup are greater.

“It is an argument based on history rather than individual quality, admittedly: French history, in particular. The peculiarity of their two triumphant campaigns is that neither contained a goal from the main No 9. Benzema scored three goals in 2014 and France exited in the quarter-finals. Stephane Guivarc’h failed to score in 1998 – indeed he ended his international career with a lone goal – and France won the World Cup. Olivier Giroud did not even muster a shot on target in 2018, yet he was the selfless foil as Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe scored four times apiece. Glory went to France.”

Here’s another great piece from Richard Jolly: He makes the case for France’s chances of lifting the trophy being better without the injured Benzema...

Could Karim Benzema’s absence improve France’s World Cup chances?

Mexico 0-0 Poland

18:33 , Alex Pattle

“Few expected that the first four-game day of this World Cup would end with Saudi Arabia sitting prettiest in Group C but that is the upshot after one of the most famous upsets in the tournament’s history and, to follow up, this far more forgettable stalemate. A goalless draw between Mexico and Poland had little of the drama witnessed in Lusail earlier on Tuesday, but it would not quite be a World Cup without at least one moment of Guillermo Ochoa heroics.

“The Mexico goalkeeper stole the show, as he usually does, spectacularly denying Robert Lewandowski from the penalty spot at the start of the second half. Ochoa added to the catalogue of memorable saves that he has accumulated since debuting at this tournament eight years ago, while adding Poland to Brazil and Germany on the list of opponents that he has frustrated on this grandest of stages.”

Here’s Mark Critchley in Qatar with our Mexico vs Poland match report:

Robert Lewandowski denied World Cup moment as Guillermo Ochoa steals show

France vs Australia

18:27 , Alex Pattle

So, France are out to avoid the recent curse of defending World Cup champions exiting in the group stage.

Here’s Richard Jolly, in Qatar, on that interesting trend:

How not to defend a World Cup

France vs Australia

18:19 , Alex Pattle

Again, here’s how Group D’s other fixture played out at the Qatar World Cup today:

Tireless Tunisia earn deserved point against Denmark

Mexico 0-0 Poland

18:08 , Alex Pattle

One more game to come at the Qatar World Cup today: France vs Australia in Group D, where Denmark drew 0-0 with Tunisia earlier.

You can read our Denmark vs Tunisia report here and follow live updates from France vs Australia at the link below:

France vs Australia LIVE: World Cup 2022 latest score and updates

Mexico 0-0 Poland

18:01 , Alex Pattle

Here are our player ratings from this game!

Mexico vs Poland player ratings: Robert Lewandowski endures penalty woe

Mexico 0-0 Poland

18:00 , Alex Pattle

Group C

1. Saudi Arabia; 3 points, goal difference +1

2. Mexico; 1 point, GD 0

3. Poland; 1 point, GD 0

4. Argentina; 0 points, GD -1

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:57 , Alex Pattle

This result means Saudi Arabia are atop Group C after the first round of fixtures!

Their shock 2-1 win over Argentina earlier today has them on 3 points and Lionel Messi’s team on zero, while Mexico and Poland are on one point apiece.

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:55 , Alex Pattle

Full-time: It ends goalless in Group C!

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:54 , Alex Pattle

90+6 mins: A really deft move out from the back for Poland ends with a wild shot, when there were better options on.

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:53 , Alex Pattle

90+5 mins: A clever pass is stabbed through Mexico’s backline and to Kaminski.

He makes a decent connection with his left-footed shot inside the Mexico box, but Ochoa catches the rising effort.

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:50 , Alex Pattle

90+2 mins: The corner is headed away by Glik.

Brave defending from the Poland man, who a couple of minutes ago blocked a Lozano cross with his face at point-blank range.

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:49 , Alex Pattle

90 mins: Mexico win a corner on their right flank through Antuna.

Seven minutes of added time to come.

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:46 , Alex Pattle

87 mins: Lozano has looked just as dangerous since moving to the left as he was on the right.

Not his best moment now, though: He tries a cross with the outside of boot, but it’s blocked, then the Mexico man charges into the back of Cash and gives away a free kick.

Zielinski is replaced by Arkadiusz Milik for Poland.

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:42 , Alex Pattle

85 mins: A bit of a role reversal now, as Cash blocks a cross and the ball goes out for a Mexico corner.

The corner is headed out of the Poland box, and the Mexican players work the ball out to their right, where they win a throw-in.

Uriel Antuna replaces Alexis Vega in the meantime.

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:40 , Alex Pattle

82 mins: Cash’s cross from Poland’s right flank is cut out at the source, and the ball goes out for a corner...

The subsequent delivery is headed across goal, then cleared at the back post!

Mexico break and switch play to the left wing, where Jimenez will surge towards the Poland box...

But he’s dispossessed!

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:38 , Alex Pattle

81 mins: Vega tries his luck from a long way out, but his shot swerves well high and wide of the Poland goal.

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:37 , Alex Pattle

As promised, here is more on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United exit, which was confirmed moments ago:

Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Manchester United with immediate effect

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:35 , Alex Pattle

77 mins: Now Frankowski wins a free kick.

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:34 , Alex Pattle

76 mins: Poland substitute Frankowski receives a yellow card for a late challenge on Lozano, who is left holding his calf while on the turf.

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:32 , Alex Pattle

In other news...

Manchester United have just announced that Cristiano Ronaldo will leave the club by mutual consent with immediate effect.

Stay right here; we’ll have more on that for you in a few moments.

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:29 , Alex Pattle

72 mins: Szymanski is replaced by Frankowski for Poland.

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:29 , Alex Pattle

72 mins: Two Mexico substitutions to be made.

Wolves forward Raul Jimenez, who has been recovering from an injury, is on; so is Carlos Rodriguez.

They replace Herrera and Martin.

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:24 , Alex Pattle

67 mins: Some decent interplay between Lozano and Vega on the right wing ends with the latter smashing a shot well over the Poland crossbar.

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:23 , Alex Pattle

65 mins: CHANCE!

A Mexico cross is whipped in, and a quick-reaction header diverts the ball towards goal at some pace!

Szczesny shows good reflexes to dive across goal and parry the ball away!

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:22 , Alex Pattle

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:21 , Alex Pattle

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:19 , Alex Pattle

61 mins: A yellow card is awarded, but it’s not clear if it’s for Mexico’s coach or assistant coach.

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:18 , Alex Pattle

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:16 , Alex Pattle

57 mins: PENALTY SAVED!

Lewandowski shoots low and hard to Ochoa’s left, but the Mexico goalkeeper is equal to it!

There’s a scramble for the ball thereafter, but Mexico survive – for now!

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:14 , Alex Pattle

56 mins: It looked like a 50-50 battle at first, with Lewandowski using his strength well, but Moreno was grabbing the Poland striker’s shirt throughout.

Lewandowski will take this, obviously.

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:14 , Alex Pattle

56 mins: PENALTY TO POLAND!

The referee goes to the monitor, and he gives a penalty to Poland after their first decent move of the match!

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:13 , Alex Pattle

54 mins: All of a sudden, Poland decide to press! And what would you know? They get a great chance out of it!

A pass is slung into the feet of Lewandowski just inside the Mexico box, and he turns well before running at goal...

He’s shoulder to shoulder with Moreno, and the Poland captain loses out.

Better, though, from Poland! That looked dangerous for Mexico for a moment.

In fact... the referee is going to check for a penalty! Moreno looked to have pulled on Lewandowski’s shirt...

Mexico 0-0 Poland

17:10 , Alex Pattle

53 mins: Lozano scoops a lovely pass over the Poland defence and onto Sanchez inside the box... and Sanchez wins a corner.

Szczesny comes out and punches it clear, but Mexico will attack again, this time with Lozano out on the left...

He cuts inside and curls a shot towards goal, but he slips as he hits it! Szczesny catches the effort comfortably.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website