France showed it can cope without its star striker at the World Cup. In Karim Benzema바카라s absence, Kylian Mbappe scored one and set up the second of Olivier Giroud바카라s two goals to help the defending champions beat Australia 4-1 Tuesday. (More Football News | FIFA World Cup Results)
Giroud equaled Thierry Henry바카라s national record of 51 goals with a header from Mbappe바카라s cross in the 71st minute. Giroud, who failed to score at the last World Cup but did find the net at the 2014 tournament, can break Henry바카라s record when France faces Denmark on Saturday.
바카라It바카라s not just about chasing records but what he always does on the field,바카라 France coach Didier Deschamps said. 바카라He바카라s a very important player for us.바카라
Moments before that strike, Mbappe headed in Ousmane Dembele바카라s cross from the right to start this World Cup as he finished the last 바카라 with a goal. He knelt with one hand behind his back and his finger on his forehead in a new celebration.
Deschamps joked that Mbappe could now become even more lethal.
바카라He always dreams about scoring headers, so if he starts doing that he바카라ll be even more dangerous,바카라 Deschamps said, cracking a smile. 바카라I knew he would be ready tonight because this is his competition.바카라
Craig Goodwin gave Australia the lead when he turned in winger Mathew Leckie바카라s cross in the ninth minute. France midfielder Adrien Rabiot equalized with a powerful header in the 27th and set up Giroud바카라s first goal shortly after.
바카라It바카라s great for our momentum and confidence to have turned things around,바카라 Giroud said. 바카라Even though we could have scored more we combined well.바카라
France was playing without the injured Benzema, who was ruled out of the World Cup last week. The Socceroos were pumped up and the green-and-gold Aussie fans were loving it. They even mocked Mbappe with chants of 바카라Who are ya? Who are ya?바카라 after he lost the ball dribbling down the left.
That바카라s as good as it got for them. Theo Hernandez curled in a cross for Rabiot to score his first World Cup goal 바카라 four years after refusing to go on France바카라s standby list in case of injuries. He even emailed France coach Didier Deschamps to be taken off the list and was dropped from the national team for two years.
It바카라s been some comeback for Rabiot. He바카라s now leading a midfield missing the injured Paul Pogba and N바카라Golo Kante 바카라 France바카라s engine room the 2018 World Cup.
바카라Having Adrien playing at this level is very important for us,바카라 Deschamps said.
Injuries are hurting Deschamps바카라 team, however, and now the coach could be without Lucas Hernandez 바카라 Theo바카라s older brother. He hurt his knee in the build up to Australia바카라s goal.
바카라He needs to have tests but unfortunately it does look pretty serious,바카라 Deschamps said. 바카라That바카라s the real low point about tonight.바카라
