Analysis: France

France began their 2018 World Cup tournament with a very attack-minded front line. Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele began as a fluid, rotating front three. Initially, Mbappe began as the central forward, with Dembele and Griezmann supporting from the wider areas. The pace of Mbappe tested out the Australian back line in the opening exchanges, as France looked to build in the central lane.

In support of the attack, both full-backs, Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez, began to move higher in possession. However, the French attack looked slightly disjointed in the opening 15 minutes, as they lacked quality deliveries into the penalty area.

Paul Pogba, France’s main aerial threat, began in a very deep central midfield position, often joining N’Golo Kante as a defensive duo. This further divided the French attack, as the Manchester United midfielder rarely moved ahead of the ball to penetrate the Australian defence.

As Australia settled, France tried their luck with counter-attacks from deep. They searched for either of their two wide forwards within the first two passes of the regain. By this point, Griezmann had moved into the central role, with Mbappe on the right and Dembele on the left.

France’s attacking transitions looked like they would reap some rewards, as the Australian full-backs began to venture forwards themselves. France adapted their transitions with longer balls over their opponents’ defence, who had pushed up with a high line. Despite this change of approach, France struggled to find the clinical final ball that might set free their pacy forwards.

Throughout the second half, France’s wide forwards continued to move inside, forming a trio of central strikers. The main difference from the first half was that they started to move with the ball. They hoped that, by starting in wider positions, they would stretch the Australian back line, pinning back their attacking full-backs in the process. However, each time Dembele or Mbappe drove infield, they found extra Australian bodies, as defensive midfielders Aaron Mooy and Mile Jedinak gradually dropped deeper.

France’s frustrated attack continued as they now looked for their full-backs, who had been patiently waiting for an out ball. With the forward trio occupying the central block, Pavard and Hernandez were in ideal positions to provide first-time crosses. However, the initial passes out to them were sloppy and inaccurate, which forced the pair to take a touch before crossing, thus slowing down the build.

Just as Australia were starting to expand in possession, Les Bleus finally pounced. After a quick regain, Pogba was set free to release Griezmann in on goal. The Atletico Madrid forward was brought down and the referee eventually awarded the penalty via the help of VAR – the World Cup’s first ever VAR penalty. Griezmann comfortably powered home to give the French the lead.

Full of confidence from his first ever World Cup goal, Griezmann started to look much more dangerous in a deeper position. By dropping away from the traffic, he could collect unmarked and freely attack the Australia back line.

Despite a defensive blip from Samuel Umtiti, whose inexplicable handball brought Australia back into the game via a penalty, France had the last laugh. Pogba’s first burst forward ahead of the ball went untracked, as substitute Olivier Giroud flicked the ball forward. The outstretching leg of Pogba was just long enough to dink the ball over the Australian goalkeeper, courtesy of a deflection from Australia left-back Aziz Behich. Ahead once more, France killed the game off with dull possession, ensuring that Australia couldn’t force a final attack on goal.