Doha, 23 Nov (Xinhua) -- The Asian champions, African champions, and South American champions all got off to a bad start at the Qatar World Cup, but the world champion France did not "overturn." They won 4-1 against Australia in the match on the 22nd to get off to a "good start". At Janub Stadium, the "Gallic Rooster" showed its powerful wings.
France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates a teammate's goal with his arms raised on November 22. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Ming
The reigning World Cup champions tend to get a lot of attention in their opening matches, but with Argentina playing on the same day, France's Qatar World Cup debut was more or less stolen of heat. Messi's press conference the day before the game was a bit lonely, with reporters arriving ten minutes early and still finding a front-row spot.
"Why only 25 players?" "What will be the impact of Benzema's departure?" "As the last champion, do you feel the pressure?" In the face of these problems, France coach Deschamps smiled and resolved them one by one.
Deschamps at the pre-match press conference on November 21. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Lili
When the World Cup is held again in Asia 20 years later, France remains the defending champions. But compared to the France team in 2002, the current manager, Deschamps, faces a very different situation. In the World Cup in Korea and Japan, the French team almost assembled the strongest team, in addition to Zidane, the team also has Trezeguet, Henry, Cisse, the three top scorers of the season, Serie A, Premier League, Ligue 1, is the favorite to win the championship alone. Some even commented that "even the substitutes of the French team are a treasure in their respective clubs".
But what about the players in Deschamps' hands now? In addition to N'Golo Kante, who was confirmed early to be absent, Meinion and Pogba also hung up their waivers cards afterwards, and before the start of the World Cup, Kimpembe, Nkunku and Benzema withdrew one after another due to injury, and the midfield position was full of "recruits" who participated in the World Cup for the first time. Against the backdrop of three consecutive World Cup reigning champions being eliminated from the group, France's road ahead looks thorny.
Benzema. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Gao Jing
As in the 2018 World Cup, France faced Australia in their first match. More than four years ago, France narrowly swept 2-1 on penalties. After meeting again and withstanding France's opening three-legged axe, Australia took the lead in breaking the deadlock with an uncomplicated combination. French left-back Lucas Hernandez was injured while defending and was replaced by his younger brother Te'o.
The French team in the opening period was more single-minded, trying to open a gap on both sides, especially on the left flank of Mbappe's activity. "Mu Huang"'s breakthrough is still sharp, but either the pass landing point is not ideal, or it is surrounded by many people. The Frenchman, who had been unable to attack for a long time, tried to switch his mind, Te'o took the ball at 45 degrees, and Rabiot finished the goal. Five minutes later, it was Rabiot who made a steal in front and assisted Giroud's goal. After that, the game went completely into the rhythm of the French team, and they scored two more goals in the second half to finally win a big game.
Images: Xin Yuewei, Lan Hongguang, Xiao Yijiu, Li Ming
This victory was like a timely rain, not only dispelling the shadow of the "reigning World Cup champion curse", but also further calming the turmoil caused by the previous portrait rights incident. On the wide road surface of Qatar, the French team, which is accustomed to a slow start, has just started this time and hung up fifth gear.