Giroud Equals All-Time Scoring Record As World Champions France Discipline Australia

World champions France kicked off their title defending quest in fine style as they cruised to an emphatic 4-1 win against Australia on Tuesday night.

AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud was the star of the show with a brace that saw him equal Thierry Henry's all-time scoring record of 51 goals.

Aside from setting himself up to break the record at the Qatar 2022 tournament, Giroud also became the second oldest player to score in a World Cup game at 36 years and 58 days old.

The record is held by Cameroon legend Roger Milla with 42 years and 39 days under his belt, bagging a consolation goal against Russia in a 6-1 defeat in 1994.

France were dealt a huge blow ahead of the tournament as Balon d'Or winner Karim Benzema was ruled out of the tournament through injury but Giroud stepped up to the plate.

Australia took a shock early lead in the 9th minute after a great finish from Craig Goodwin and most people thought we were set for yet another upset in the tournament.

Though the defending champions picked up the pace and Adrien Rabiot leveled matters before he turned provider for Giroud's first goal, giving the French the lead.

After the break, Kylian Mbappe scored with a lovely glancing header in the 68th minute after a perfect cross from Ousmane Dembele to put the game beyond their opponents.

Giroud then completed the rout with a header of his own after a Mbappe assist to equal the French all-time goal record.

France are now atop Group D with 3 points, two more than Denmark and Tunisia who played out to a barren draw earlier at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.

Australia have an uphill task if they are to stand a chance of making it past the group stage and cannot afford another defeat against either team left to play.

France are looking to become only the third team in history to win the World Cup back to back after South American nations Brazil and Argentina.