France come back from early goal to start World Cup defense with comfortable win

DOHA, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- France came from behind Tuesday to start their World Cup defense with a 4-1 win over a hard-working and disciplined, but technically inferior Australia.

The 'Socceroos' took a surprise lead in the ninth minute when Craig Goodwin fired home Matthew Leckie's cross, but France levelled in the 27th minute thanks to Adrien Rabiot's header.

Olivier Giroud put France ahead five minutes later after good work from Rabiot and Kylian Mbappe made it 3-1 with a header from Ousmane Dembele's cross in the 68th minute.

Mbappe then turned provider to set up Giroud's second of the night in the 71st minute, with the goal taking the big striker level with Thierry Henry's record of 51 goals for 'Les Blues'.