World Cup: Mbappe & Giroud shine as France thrash Australia - reaction

1. Giroud scores twice to equal Henry's record as France's all-time top scorer with 51
2. Rabiot and Mbappe also score headers as France dominate
3. Goodwin had given Australia shock early lead
4. World champions France beginning their campaign in Qatar

'Curse of the champions?'

Didier Drogba

Former Ivory Coast striker on BBC One

France had the curse of the champions in 2002 and I think it's still in the players' minds because they have so many injuries.

So, I think this game will be very important for France.

'Excited - but a bit nervous'

Mark Schwarzer

Former Australia goalkeeper on BBC One

There's no real surprises in the Australia side - Martin Boyle is out of the tournament with injury. The line-up almost picked itself.

They are playing against a phenomenal side, the current world champions - Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, the list goes on and on and on.

I'm excited to watch the game but I'm also a little bit nervous - I hope we can contain them and put on a really good show and maybe we can cause an upset like Saudi Arabia did earlier today.

Deschamps defends 25-man squad

Reuters

France boss Didier Deschamps has defended his decision not to replace Karim Benzema in the squad.

Real Madrid striker Benzema suffered a thigh injury in training with France and Deschamps has decided to just go with 25 players.

He could have called up somebody else until yesterday.

"I've got 25 players in my squad. I'm convinced I have the efficient number of players to be able to deal with the challenges we face," said Deschamps.

"Before we had 22, 23. Now it is 26 and we are at 25. There are lots of possibilities, lots of players on the bench and, therefore, I believe we have everything we need."

Mbappe his the global stage

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer Al Janoub Stadium.

It is has been a misrable day at this World Cup for one of the game's great superstars in Lionel Messi as Argentina were stunned by Saudi Arabia - now we await the entry of another stellar name, France's Kylian Mbappe.

Unlike Messi, Mbappe already has a World Cup winners' medal to his name, scoring when France beat Croatia in the final in Mosow in 2018.

Mbappe's responsibility has increased with the absense through injury of Karim Benzema but this is something he will relish.

Australia are in their fifth World Cup in a row. But none of this squad have scored in one.

Tim Cahill and Mile Jedinak scored all their five goals in 2014 and 2018.

Getty Images

Sutton's prediction

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Australia have not picked West Bromwich Albion midfielder Tom Rogic, which is a mistake. His former Celtic team-mate Aaron Mooy did make the squad though, and his experience will help.

Graham Arnold's side come into the World Cup on the back of five consecutive wins, so they will be as confident as they could be... at least until they run into France.

The holders are my tip to win it again. It would be a big shock if they didn't start with a victory.

Prediction: 2-0

'The 2018 midfield doesn't exist'

Vincent Kompany

Ex- Belgium and Manchester City captain on BBC One

I think France will be fine for this group but I have flashbacks from the semi-final in 2018 and I remember their midfield of Kante, Matuidi, Pogba.

That was allowing the front players to do what they did - and that midfield doesn't exist today. So there are some concerns - but for today it should be enough.

A couple of bad omens for France...

They failed to score a goal in their only World Cup as holders in 2002.

The reigning world champions have won their first match in just three of the past 12 World Cups (D4 L5). The exceptions were Germany in 1994 and Brazil in both 1998 and 2006.

'Mbappe will have to step up'

Julien Laurens

French football expert on BBC Radio 5 live

Kylian Mbappe is coming into this World Cup in a great frame of mind, without Karim Benzema he will now have to step up and he has been saying that this is what he wants.

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I think United are entirely to blame. Ronaldo had other offers and was persuaded to come back to United. They have let him down and I am not surprised he feels betrayed. Ten Hag has no class or respect for Ronaldo's history with United.

Sarah

Australia also had a player pull out through injury on the eve of the tournament.

Scotland-born Hibernian winger Martin Boyle, 29, failed to recover from a knee injury suffered last month.

Melbourne City youngster Marco Tilio - who was with the squad in case Boyle dropped out - takes his place.

BBC One coverage has just started.

Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Didier Drogba and Vincent Kompany make up a high-quality team.

Can Australia do a Saudi Arabia?

Earlier today Saudi Arabia caused one of the all-time World Cup shocks, coming from behind to beat Argentina 2-1.

Can France avoid a similar fate as they get their World Cup defence under way against Australia?

Australia have won just two World Cup games in 16 attempts, drawing four and losing 10.

Those wins came against Japan in 2006 and Serbia in 2010.

Their only clean sheet in the tournament was in 1974.

This is Australia's first game against European opposition since a 1-1 draw versus Denmark at the 2018 World Cup.

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Ronaldo couldn't accept he is getting old and refused to be a team player assuming it should all be about him. Thanks for the memories but goodbye

Laurence Manchester

'No anxiety about France injuries'

EPA

Champions France have had more injury problems than any of the other contenders at this World Cup.

Key midfielders Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante are out, as are Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema and the third top scorer in Europe's major leagues Christopher Nkunku. They are also missing defender Presnel Kimpembe.

"There's no apprehension. We have done everything possible," said boss Didier Deschamps.

"There's no anxiety, everyone is calm and there are cool heads.

"You think I can just click my fingers and someone can say, 'OK, I will be a leader, I will give pep talks and lead the squad to victory'? No, it's something that comes with time."

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Familiar face in attendance

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Al Janoub Stadium

France and Australia are out warming up at the Al Janoub Stadium and backstage plenty of star names are in attendance.

Harry Kewell, for a long time Australia's most high-profile footballer during the height of his career at Leeds United and Liverpool, was backstage and deep in conversation - no doubt ready to lend his support to The Socceroos.

Temperatures are cool for a game that kicks off at 10pm local time. Perfect conditions.

Cristiano Ronaldo is following in the footsteps of Gary Breen in being a free agent at the World Cup.

In 2002, Breen, who had just left Coventry, scored for the Republic of Ireland against Saudi Arabia and led them to the knockout stages.

After that he was linked to Inter Milan and Barcelona - but joined West Ham instead.