Match ends, France 2, Australia 1.
World Cup 2018: Paul Pogba's late goal gives France victory over Australia
- From the section World Cup
Paul Pogba's late goal broke Australian resistance to give France a winning start in a Group C after they had earlier benefitted from a controversial VAR decision to score the game's opening goal.
The video assistant referee penalised Australia's Josh Risdon for a foul on Antoine Griezmann, allowing the Atletico Madrid forward to dispatch a penalty, the first World Cup goal influenced by VAR.
However, a moment of madness from French defender Samuel Umtiti, who handled Aaron Mooy's free-kick, enabled Australia to equalise through Mile Jedinak's penalty in Kazan.
And they looked on course to hold one of the pre-tournament favourites until Pogba's lobbed effort deflected off Australia full-back Aziz Behich and the crossbar to fall inches over the goal-line.
Amid the large clusters of gold provided by around 10,000 Socceroos supporters, France initially assumed control of this Group C opener despite the long journey from their Moscow training base.
Kylian Mbappe sparkled early on, racing beyond the Australia backline to test goalkeeper Mat Ryan after 93 seconds.
That sparked a concerted offensive by Didier Deschamps' team but Australia stemmed the tide as the half progressed.
Going behind stirred Australia into a response in the second period and Aston Villa's Jedinak converted a penalty Umtiti had senselessly handled another dangerous Mooy delivery.
But Pogba's winner, confirmed by goal-line technology, ensured France opened the tournament with three points.
Peru face Denmark in Saturday's other Group C match from 17:00 BST.
More to follow.
Line-ups
France
- 1Lloris
- 2Pavard
- 4Varane
- 5Umtiti
- 21Hernández
- 12TolissoBooked at 76minsSubstituted forMatuidiat 78'minutes
- 13Kanté
- 6Pogba
- 10Mbappé
- 7GriezmannSubstituted forGiroudat 70'minutes
- 11DembéléSubstituted forFekirat 70'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Kimpembe
- 8Lemar
- 9Giroud
- 14Matuidi
- 15N'Zonzi
- 16Mandanda
- 17Rami
- 18Fekir
- 19Sidibe
- 20Thauvin
- 22Mendy
- 23Areola
Australia
- 1Ryan
- 19RisdonBooked at 57mins
- 20Sainsbury
- 5Milligan
- 16BehichBooked at 87mins
- 7LeckieBooked at 13mins
- 15Jedinak
- 13Mooy
- 10KruseSubstituted forArzaniat 84'minutes
- 23RogicSubstituted forIrvineat 72'minutes
- 11NabboutSubstituted forJuricat 64'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Degenek
- 3Meredith
- 4Cahill
- 6Jurman
- 8Luongo
- 9Juric
- 12Jones
- 14Maclaren
- 17Arzani
- 18Vukovic
- 21Petratos
- 22Irvine
- Referee:
- Andrés Cunha
- Attendance:
- 41,279
Match Stats
Home TeamFranceAway TeamAustralia
- Possession
- Home55%
- Away45%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away1
- Corners
- Home5
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home16
- Away19
Live Text
Full Time
Second Half ends, France 2, Australia 1.
Paul Pogba (France) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Mathew Leckie (Australia).
Attempt blocked. Josh Risdon (Australia) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Daniel Arzani.
Foul by Lucas Hernández (France).
Mathew Leckie (Australia) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Lucas Hernández (France) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Josh Risdon (Australia).
Attempt blocked. Nabil Fekir (France) left footed shot from long range on the right is blocked.
Booking
Aziz Behich (Australia) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Nabil Fekir (France) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Aziz Behich (Australia).
Foul by Olivier Giroud (France).
Trent Sainsbury (Australia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Nabil Fekir (France) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Aaron Mooy (Australia).
Hand ball by Kylian Mbappé (France).
Substitution
Substitution, Australia. Daniel Arzani replaces Robbie Kruse.
Attempt missed. Lucas Hernández (France) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a corner.
Corner, France. Conceded by Aziz Behich.
Goal!
Goal! France 2, Australia 1. Paul Pogba (France) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Olivier Giroud.
Substitution
Substitution, France. Blaise Matuidi replaces Corentin Tolisso.
Booking
Corentin Tolisso (France) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Corentin Tolisso (France).
Tomi Juric (Australia) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt missed. Benjamin Pavard (France) right footed shot from outside the box is too high following a corner.
Corner, France. Conceded by Trent Sainsbury.
Substitution
Substitution, Australia. Jackson Irvine replaces Tomas Rogic.
Paul Pogba (France) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Tomas Rogic (Australia).
Substitution
Substitution, France. Nabil Fekir replaces Ousmane Dembélé.
Substitution
Substitution, France. Olivier Giroud replaces Antoine Griezmann.
Attempt blocked. Samuel Umtiti (France) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Foul by Benjamin Pavard (France).
Robbie Kruse (Australia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Australia. Tomi Juric replaces Andrew Nabbout.
Goal!
Goal! France 1, Australia 1. Mile Jedinak (Australia) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
Penalty conceded by Samuel Umtiti (France) with a hand ball in the penalty area.
Foul by N'Golo Kanté (France).
