Paul Pogba’s late goal, on a shot that deflected off a defender’s foot and the crossbar before slamming down just across the goal line, gave France a 2-1 victory over Australia on Saturday in Kazan in the 2018 World Cup Group C opener for both teams.
The French, who have designs on a deep run in this World Cup, will feel the result was deserved. They struggled to break down a gritty Australian defense, however, and only took the lead on a penalty kick after Antoine Griezmann was tripped from behind midway through the second half.
Griezmann, one of France’s group of star strikers, coolly buried the penalty to give the French their first lead.