Les Bleus only came out winners with the help of the VAR and a lucky deflection. Australia put up a disciplined fight but they just couldn’t trouble the French defence.

After an epic qualification process, Australia’s first hurdle at the World Cup was a national team whose players have a combined market value of over a billion Euros. A classic case of out of the frying pan and into the fire.

But with the odds stacked against them the Aussies put on a tough, disciplined performance. The crowd seemed right behind the Socceroos but it wasn’t enough.

With such a wealth of talent the French have come into the tournament as one of the favourites. However, on this display, team selection could scuttle their chances. Coach Didier Deschamps has changed his line up a lot in the lead up and his substitutes looked more influential than his first XI.

Still, champion teams manage to find a way to win even when they might not deserve it. The French did this tonight.

Australia

Mat Ryan – 7

We’ve already seen a keeper howler at this World Cup – but not from Ryan, who started well by calmly making some bread and butter saves. He didn’t have any really difficult tests and this was often down to his good positioning and speed across the ground.

Josh Risdon – 6

The A-League stalwart was up against one of the most expensive players in world football. He held his own in the first half. He gave away the penalty from a VAR decisionn which will be debated in Australia for years.

Trent Sainsbury – 8

One of Sainsbury’s tackles tonight was so strong, it popped the ball. He led the defence exceptionally well. He looked really comfortable at this level and if not for temptation of Chinese dollars, he might have been playing with and against players of this quality week in week out.

Mark Milligan – 6.5

Struggled with the pace of Mbappe early on. Improved as the game went on. This was a vintage performance from Milligan and Australia will need him to keep this standard for the next two games.

Aziz Behich – 7.5

Knew his limitations. He dribbled into space well and was good on the overlap but he simply cleared it when he was under pressure. He made for himself probably the best chance of the first half but alas his shot flew wide. He’s scored a few goals from a similar area this season in Turkey but alas, not tonight.

Aaron Mooy – 8

Showed his quality on several occasions. Some of his tackles were unbelievable and he spread the ball around really well, especially later in the game. He’ll be disappointed he didn’t find Rogic more often.

Mile Jedinak – 7.5

Bit of a surprise inclusion in the starting eleven. The Australian captain showed his usual strength in the air. He was tidy on the ball and he took his penalty well. A great captain’s performance.

Tom Rogic – 6.5

Started to find more of the ball later in the first half and he showed his quality. Enjoyed being stronger and taller than his direct opponent, Kante. Possibly won more headers today than he has in his entire career. Australia did miss his skills when he left the pitch.

Matthew Leckie 5.5

He was very strong in the first half but didn’t get much of a chance to use his pace. Nearly gifted France a one on one but Ryan saved his blushes.

Robbie Kruse – 5

Did what Robbie Kruse does and won some free kicks. He wasn’t all that effective otherwise.

Andrew Nabbout – 5.5

Had a tough night at the top of Australia’s attack but he’ll be commended for his defensive work rate.

SUBS

Tomi Juric – 5.5

He looked more dangerous in his time on the pitch than Nabbout did. His recovery regime of water running has given him a burst of pace too.

Jackson Irvine – 5.5

He provides something very different to Rogic, the man he replaced. He has a bit more energy and speed but Kante had no trouble with these attributes.

Daniel Arzani –  6

Only managed to have three real moments with the ball. He looked quality in all three but lost it during his first run. The fact that he was able to execute a cute flick and a fast dribble against some of the best players in the world puts paid to the crazy idea that he only looks good because A League defenders are bad.

France

Hugo Lloris – 6

Made a great save to stop a deflected free kick in the 18th minute. This could have changed the game completely and that’s what you need from your goalkeeper. He was otherwise untroubled.

Benjamin Pavard – 6.5

The French defence had very little trouble dealing with the Australian attack. Pavard provided some good overlapping runs and dealt with everything that was thrown at him.

Raphael Varane – 6.5

Untroubled for the majority of the game.

Samuel Umtiti – 4.5

Sacrebleu! Why were his hands over his head for the Australian penalty? This was a huge blunder in an otherwise solid performance.

Hernandez Lucas – 7

Did well to limit Leckie’s chances to run in behind. Going up against a speedy opponent can be daunting and required the sort of clever positioning Lucas showed. Played for some free kicks in a way that enraged Aussie fans and players but showed his intelligence.

Ngolo Kante – 7

He did not seem to enjoy playing against Rogic. He found the tall, skillful Australian hard to handle and fouled him on a few occasions. Including the foul that led to Australia’s equaliser. Once Rogic went off he had a much happier game. He sparked some good attacks and tracked Irvine really well. A lot of his rating comes from those last 20 minutes. His passing was excellent all game and no sane person could ever fault his work rate.

Corentin Tolisso – 5.5

Deschamps got more out of his substitute tonight so this selection was a little off. He didn’t provide much going forward and Jedinak and Mooy were able to find more space than they probably deserved.

Paul Pogba – 6

Lucky deflection looped his shot just over the line for France’s second.

Kylian Mbappe – 5.5

His first 15 minutes were really dangerous but after that he was largely anonymous.

Antoine Griezman – 6

His penalty was beautifully taken. Cleverly won too. He had lost the ball with a heavy touch so he went down. Of France’s starting attackers he was probably the most dangerous. He got off a couple of good shots but nothing Ryan couldn’t handle.

Ousmane Dembélé – 4.5

Didn’t show the form that won him a move to Barcelona. He’ll have to lift his game if he wants to keep his starting position.  

SUBS

Olivier Giroud – 7

He helped create the second goal. The French attack looked a lot more dangerous with him in it and it wasn’t just from his massive forehead bandage.

Nabil Fekir – 5.5

Added something to the French attack.

Blaise Matuidi – 5.5

His introduction may have helped free up Kante for his best period of the match.