World Cup Player Ratings: Mbappe and Giroud impress, Duke struggles
PLAYER RATINGS: Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud impress for France in scintillating 4-1 World Cup win… but Australia’s Mitchell Duke struggles up front for the Socceroos
- France beat Australia 4-1 in their World Cup Group D opener on Tuesday night
- Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud were instrumental in a fine attacking showing
- While for the Socceroos, forward Mitchell Duke struggled up front by himself
- Sportsmail gives you the player ratings from the clash at the Al Janoub Stadium
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
It was a dramatic opening World Cup match for both France and Australia on Tuesday evening, as holders Les Bleus eased past the Socceroos with a dominant 4-1 win after the underdogs had taken the lead.
Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud were instrumental in a fine attacking showing for Didier Deschamps’ side, while Australia’s lone striker Mitchell Duke struggled up front.
Below, Sportsmail‘s Gerry Cox runs the rule over the two sides and gives his thoughts on the player ratings in Qatar.
France (pictured) thrashed Australia 4-1 in their World Cup opening game on Tuesday evening
Forward Kylian Mbappe scored once and provided an assist as Les Bleus triumphed comfortably – below, Sportsmail give their player ratings for the clash at the Al Janoub Stadium
France (4-2-3-1)
Hugo Lloris – No chance with Goodwin’s early goal, and was stranded when Jackson headed against the post, but otherwise had nothing to do. 7
Benjamin Pavard – Spent most his time in the opposition half as Australia effectively had only one man forward. Could have done better when Goodwin scored. Replaced late on. 6
Ibrahima Konate – One or two wobbles from the Liverpool centre-back but he and Upamecano handled Australia’s lone striker Mitch Duke well. 7
Dayot Upamecano – Had a fairly comfortable evening defensively and played one delightful forward pass to Griezmann before half-time. 7
Lucas Hernandez – The Bayern Munich left back lasted only nine minutes after suffering a serious looking knee injury in the build-up to Goodwin’s early goal. 6
Aurelien Tchouameni – The young Real Madrid midfielder helped Rabiot and Griezmann take control, and had one long shot blocked early in the second half. Replaced late on. 7
Paris Saint-Germain superstar Mbappe was instrumental in attack for Didier Deschamps’s side
Adrien Rabiot – The Juventus midfielder scored France’s equaliser, heading in from close range, and set up Giroud’s first. Good, all-action display. 7
Ousmane Dembele – Had the beating of Behich down the right wing time and time again with his blistering pace. Dangerous cutting inside too before being replaced. 7
Antoine Griezmann – Dangerous in a deeper role, hitting one shot wide before half-time and then setting up Mbappe with a delightful flick across goal. 7
Kylian Mbappe – Superb down the left, beating his man repeatedly, full range of flicks and tricks. Missed a sitter from barely three yards out, scored a header and set up Giroud’s second. 9
While Olivier Giroud equalled Thierry Henry’s all-time goalscoring record for the country (51)
Olivier Giroud – Put one header over the bar, scored with a tap-in from to reach 50 goals for France, and then equalled Thierry Henry’s record with another header. Also close with an overhead shot. 8
Substitutes –
Theo Hernandez for Lucas Hernandez, 13 – Put in some great crosses from the left, including the assist for Rabiot’s goal. 7
Youssouf Fofana for Tchouameni, 77
Kingsley Coman for Dembele, 77
Jules Kounde for Pavard, 89
Marcus Thuram for Giroud, 89
Australia (4-1-4-1)
Mat Ryan – The former Brighton and Arsenal had little chance with the goals, but made some good saves to keep down the score. Less sure with the ball at his feet. 7
Nathaniel Atkinson – The Hearts full-back had his hands full against Mbappe’s searing pace and lost possession as Rabiot set up Giroud’s goal. Couple of decent blocks, though. 6
Harry Souttar – The big Stoke defender, born in Aberdeen, had a daunting time trying to keep the Blue tide at bay. One good tackle on Mbappe early on, but the French kept coming. 6
Kye Rowles – Could have done better when Rabiot ran in unmarked to equalise for France. Tough night for the Hearts defender, but made one important tackle on Mbappe. 6
Hearts full-back Nathaniel Atkinson (above, left) tried hard but had his hands full with Mbappe
Aziz Behich – Another man with an unenviable task, the Dundee full-back was no match for Dembele’s speed on the right. Cleared a Griezmann shot off the line. 6
Aaron Mooy – The Celtic midfielder looked really good early on as Australia took the game to France, but ran out of steam and the French took control. Booked. 7
Craig Goodwin – The Adelaide United winger made a sensational start by scoring in the ninth minute with an emphatic left-footed finish from Mat Leckie’s cross. 7
Riley McGree – Middlesbrough man had an unexpected early chance but snatched at his shot and sent it well wide. Also crossed for Irvine’s header against the post. 6
Jackson Irvine – One crunching tackle on Tchouameni early on showed he meant business, then hit the far post with a header before half-time. Booked and replaced. 6
While Australia’s lone striker Mitchell Duke struggled to feed off scraps up front by himself
Mathew Leckie – The Melbourne City winger set up Goodwin’s goal with excellent control and a superb cross from the right, but had more defensive work for the rest of the night. 6
Mitchell Duke – Went close from 25 yards with a piledriver when he pounced on a loose pass from Hernandez. Replaced by Cummings on 56 minutes after being booked. 5
Substitutes –
Jason Cummings for Duke, 56 – Did a decent job replacing Duke as the lone striker. 6
Awer Mabil for Goodwin, 74
Garang Kuol for McGree, 74
Keanu Baccus for Irvine, 85
Milos Degenek for Atkinson, 85
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