Les Bleus went all the way in Russia four years ago and as they are this year – back in 2018 they were sharing the group with the Socceroos – who are now aiming to end a run of three successive group-stage exits.Off-the-field scandals and countless injury problems have plagued this France side, who already hold the unwanted honour of being the worst-performing defending champions at a World Cup after going out in the group stage in 2002 without a single win to their name.Since that rain-soaked evening in Moscow and a historic win against Croatia, France have added another major trophy to their cabinet in the form of the UEFA Nations League. However, things are going far from good lately for Didier Deschamps and his squad. They were eliminated from Euro 2020 at the last-16 stage and were painfully close to being relegated to League B of the Nations League.But even so, France command a healthy amount of respect as defending champions and Les Bleus aim to become only the third team after Italy and Brazil to win back-to-back World Cups. Also, to look at champions on a smaller scale – not since Brazil in 2006 have the holders won their opening game of the competition.Can Tunisia down dark horses Denmark?Les Blues will have Australia on the other end of the pitch and the two cannot say ‘long time no see’ to each other. Tonight’s opposing sides were part of group C in Russia and the French came out victorious with a tight 2-1 victory.The Aussies qualified to the Qatar World Cup thanks to goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne, who had a performance of a lifetime in the playoff penalty shootout against Peru. This ensured Australia would be present at the World Cup finals for the fourth time on the bounce – but the Socceroos have suffered three group-stage exits in that period and have only won one of their last nine games at the tournament – a 2-1 success over Serbia in 2010.So far, a round-of-16 berth in the 2006 tournament represents the Socceroos’ best achievement on the biggest global stage. Also, they cannot boast of scoring much from open play. The last such goal came in 2014 when Tim Cahill scored a scorcher against the Netherlands.When it comes to head-to-head encounters, the Socceroos have only ever won one of their five meetings with Les Bleus, which came all the way back at the 2001 Confederations Cup.South African 🇿🇦 referee Victor Gomes will be in charge of the last game today between the reigning champions France 🇫🇷 & Australia 🇦🇺. He’ll be assisted by countryman Zakhele Siwela & Lesotho’s Souru Phatšoane.Rwandan 🇷🇼 Salima Mukansanga has been named as the fourth official. pic.twitter.com/KY4qtJBK47— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) November 22, 2022 It has been a disappointing month or so for France and their ambitions to keep the Goddess in their possession, mostly because of the Injury after ‘injury after injury’ theme that has been shocking the country – the latest one being the Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema. There are some good news as Raphael Varane just returned to full training – Deschamps has affirmed that Varane is fit to start, though, while Eduardo Camavinga sat out training on Sunday with discomfort but should be fine for the opening day.Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele are expected to form the attacking quartet in Benzema’s absence, and with Varane possibly not being risked for the opening matchday, Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano could line up at the back.Deschamps will not name a replacement for Benzema, and he has also been forced to swap Presnel Kimpembe and Christopher Nkunku out for Axel Disasi and Randal Kolo Muani respectively.The Aussies’ roster is nowhere near as struck. Marco Tilio has replaced the 29-year-old Hibernian striker Martin Boyle who has been nursing a knee problem and has been forced to withdraw from the squad. And apart from that, Graham Arnold has all members of his squad fit and raring to go.QATAR 2022 WORLD CUPGroup DTuesday16:00: (1.45) Denmark (4.20) Tunisia (8.00)22:00: (1.25) France (6.25) Australia (11.0)*** odds are subject to change***
