France begin World Cup title for defence against Australia

France will be going into their first match of the 2022 World Cup as a clear favourite against Australia today.

Apart from being the favourite, Didier Deschamp’s men are the World champions with lots of expectations on their shoulders.

Defending champions Brazil, Germany, and Italy struggled in the last three world cups. For instance, the last time France was to defend the title won in 2008 as the hosts, Les Bleus, were knocked out in the first round. 

Same thing with Germany and Italy. So, it’s an opportunity for the defending champions to make history.

Ahead of today’s Group D clash in the Al Wakrah Stadium, Kylian Mbappe is expected to lead the line. The young striker is expected to play from the flank.

Les Bleus is undoubtedly one of Qatar’s deepest and most talented squads. This put them in a favourite position to lift the trophy again. 

This is a high test for the squad without N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba, and Karim Benzema, who have been the longstanding starters for Deschamps.

He will need to shuffle his pack despite taking France to success in the 2018 World Cup in Russia and Nations League glory in 2021. Deschamps has come under scrutiny after his side crashed out of Euro 2020 at the last 16, despite leading Switzerland 3-1 at one stage.

However, despite qualifying for the Mundial clinically, their recent Nations League campaign also seemed to raise more questions than answers.

France enjoyed the World Cup qualifying, conceding just three goals en route to securing the top spot with six points over runners-up Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Australia qualified for Qatar 22 by the skin of their teeth. They secured the ticket via a penalty shoot-out victory against Peru in the Playoff final.

Winning four of their ten qualifying games in Group B could be a better result.

Part of their low point was a draw against lowly Oman, and they went on to finish only third behind Saudi Arabia and Japan.

Having finished bottom of the group at the last word cup. There is a marked lack of quality in this current Australian side.

Technically and physically, France can outclass them, especially from set pieces.

Having scored 15 goals in qualify, Australia faces a steep rise in class against a France side that will be harbouring genuine hopes of going all the way despite their growing injury list.

Written by Oladipupo Mojeed