Paul Pogba scores as France beat Australia 2-1 in their Group C opener

Officiating in this game has been weird... and now Giroud is coming OFF for Griezmann??? 🤔 #FRAAUS pic.twitter.com/TuMOxCiHSy

— Marc Oakley (@MarcOakley92) June 16, 2018

France kicked off their campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia on a winning note after beating Australia 2-1 at the Kazan Arena. Atletico Madrid superstar Antoine Griezmann opened scoring for Les Blues in the 58th minute after winning a penalty for his side a
moment before his goal. The 27-year-old forward was tripped by Joshua Risdon in the 18-yard box - which earned him a yellow card from the from the Uruguayan referee Andres Cunha.

From agony to ecstasy in the space of four minutes https://t.co/dAeOEMsePK #FRAAUS pic.twitter.com/riAmuJpOYb

— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) June 16, 2018

And Griezmann stepped up to carefully put the ball behind the net as the 1998 took the lead early in the second half of the game. Both sides endured a rather boring and goalless first half as they were unable to thread passes successfully. Australia got their equaliser in the 62nd minute as Mile Jedinak converted a spot kick to gift his side a lifeline in the game.

#FRA WIN!

A tough match for @FrenchTeam, but they get their #WorldCup campaign off to a winning start. #FRAAUS pic.twitter.com/kX6HnWwMZC

— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 16, 2018

With the game back in a stalemate, France boss Didier Deschamps made two quick substitutions to add bite into his game. He introduced the duo of Olivier Giroud and Nabil Fekir in the 70th minute to replace Antoine Griezmann as they continue to search for the winner.

Corentin Tolisso also paved way for Blaise Matuidi to complete the French team's final substitution for the game, and just two minutes later, Paul Pogba got the winner for the team.

Although the referee had to rely on the assistant of the Video Assistant Referee to decide the authenticate Pogba's goal. Earlier in the second half, Australia coach Bert van Marwijk made his first change in the game in the 64th minute as Tomi Juric comies in for Andrew Nabbout, while Tom Rogic made way for Jackson Irvine six minutes later.

However, with this result, France moves to the summit of Group C table after their 2-1 win over the Australians pending the result of the second group game between Peru and Denmark.