The Socceroos have been sent crashing back to earth at the World Cup, giving up an early lead over France to record a deflating 4-1 defeat. 7NEWS
Australia dared to dream when, after just nine minutes, Craig Goodwin scored the national team’s first World Cup goal from open play since Tim Cahill’s famous volley against the Netherlands in 2014.Watch the latest sport on Channel 7 or stream for free onBut a five-minute burst either side of the half-hour mark was all it took for France to hit the front, before two goals in three minutes midway through the second half put the game to bed.
The contest came unstuck for Australia when France’s star left-back Theo Hernandez - an early substitute for older brother Lucas, who picked up a knee injury in the lead-up to the Socceroos’ goal - floated a dangerous cross into the box and found Adrien Rabiot among three attackers. Atkinson’s blunder was a symptom of the Socceroos’ most pressing issue inside Al Janoub Stadium, with France repeatedly getting in behind the Australian defence with their speed and skill down the flanks.
Tunisia drew 0-0 with Denmark earlier on Wednesday. The Socceroos will face Denmark on Thursday morning AEDT for a second straight World Cup, after a 1-1 draw at Russia 2018.Craig Goodwin earned a start and made the most of his opportunity with a World Cup goal.Australia showed enough signs to suggest France would need to work for the win when Harry Souttar set up the opening goal with a laser long ball from defence to Mathew Leckie.
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