Paul Pogba’s late goal, on a shot that deflected off a defender’s foot and the crossbar before slamming down just across the goal line, gave France a 2-1 victory over Australia on Saturday in Kazan in the 2018 World Cup Group C opener for both teams.
The French, who have designs on a deep run in this World Cup, will feel the result was deserved. They struggled to break down a gritty Australian defense, however, and only took the lead on a penalty kick after Antoine Griezmann was tripped from behind midway through the second half.