Mbappé appeared in Qatar and lit up the World Cup as only the big stars know how to do it. Yours is an invaluable help for France to avoid the champion's curse. The last four European teams that lifted the cup did not go beyond the first phase defending the title. It seems that it will not be like this with the 'bleus' after their win against Australia, and less with their star at this level.
And that did not start the night well for the Gauls. A defensive Australia hunted down the first goal in an isolated action. With Mbappé already as the protagonist in the initial stretch, the 'socceroos' took the lead at the beautiful Al Janoub stadium when no one expected it. Leckie made a mess of Lucas Hernández on the right and his cross was fastened by Goodwin with a great shot into the net. In the action, in addition, France lost its left side, injured in the right knee, urgently called to the green by his brother Theo.
It was the world champion's turn to tie her belt and resume the march. Her offensive arsenal invited to dribble nerves and be patient. The 'bleus' had it and found a prize. Theo Hernández was precisely the architect of the equalizing move with a cross that Rabiot headed, unprecedented until then, on goal.
Despite the equalizer, Australia did not want to give up their idea, very defensive without the ball but more ambitious with it, without ever raffling it off. And he paid it. Pressure from France blocked the Oceanicians, and the ball ended up at Rabiot's feet after a backheel from Mbappé. The midfielder gave up the goal to the eternal Giroud, who culminated the turnaround on the scoreboard just five minutes after the tie.
The second French goal was a heavy blow for Arnold's side, who began to reel in the dark Qatari night. Dembélé, starter in the premiere of the champion, touched the third. Griezmann didn't hit the mark either with a frank shot from the edge. Although Mbappé's mistake was the most shocking, when he only had to push Griezmann's center, yes, in a somewhat forced position. False alarm because his physical and technical display was being audible.
Deschamps' men dominated but did not close the game and they had a good scare before going to the changing rooms when Irvine ran into the post, with Lloris as a spectator.
But France tied the victory in a second half in which Mbappé emerged as the great star of the tournament so far, with magnificent leadership skills. He signed the third with an accurate header after a great cross from Dembélé and made the fourth, which Giroud pocketed, who added the second of his account after staying zero in Russia. The night was over and the champion had launched the first notice of him.
4 - France: Lloris; Pavard (Pavard, m.89), Konaté, Upamecano, Lucas Hernandez (Théo Hernandez, m.13); Tchouaméni (Fofana, m.77), Rabiot; Griezmann; Dembelé (Coman, m.77), Giroud (Thuram, m.89), Mbappé.
1 - Australia: Ryan; Atkinson (Dagenek, m.85), Souttar, Rowles, Behich; Mooy; Leckie, Irvine (Baccus, m.85), McGreen (Mabil, m.73), Goodwin (Koul, m.74); Duke (Cummings, m.56)
Goles: 0-1, m.9: Goodwin; 1-1, m.27: Rabiot; 2-1, m.32: Giroud; 3-1, m.68: Mbappe; 4-1, m.71: Giroud
Referee: Victor Gomes (RSA). He admonished the Australians Duke, Irvine and Mooy.
Incidents: Match corresponding to group D of the World Cup in Qatar played at the Al Janoub stadium in Al Wakrah before some 40,000 spectators.
