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      Spain vs Costa Rica – World Cup Group E: How they got there, form and prediction as Spaniards look to avoid shock loss

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      SPAIN kick off their World Cup campaign on Wednesday against Costa Rica – who proved they can cause an upset by topping England’s group in 2014.Luis Enrique’s side will be wary of the Costa Ricans, who qualified for the tournament via the play-offs.

      Costa Rica failed to make it to the knockouts in 2018, but four years before that in Brazil they somehow topped a group that included England, Italy and Uruguay.
      Saudi Arabia’s stunning 2-1 win over Argentina will make the Spaniards even more wary that no wins are guaranteed at the World Cup.
      With heavyweights Germany also in their group, Spain will know nothing but three points will do as they get their campaign underway at Al Thumama Stadium.
      Here, SunSport previews the Group E clash.

      How did they get there?
      Spain: Finished top of their qualifying group ahead of Sweden.
      Won six out of their eight games, but were in danger of having to go through a play-off if they lost their final game against the Swedes.
      In the end an 86th minute Alvaro Morata winner sealed top spot and an automatic ticket to Qatar.
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      Costa Rica: Held their nerve to seal a spot at the World Cup with a nervy 1-0 play-off win over New Zealand.
      Finished fourth behind USA in the third round of CONCACAF qualifying which failed to see them through automatically.

      What’s the form?
      Spain: The Spaniards go into the tournament on a good run of form, having won four out of their last five games.
      That included a 1-0 win against rivals Portugal back in November, Morata again popping up with a late winner.
      But they were also beaten by Switzerland in September, so Costa Rica will know there are weaknesses to Spain.
      Costa Rica: Also on an excellent run of form, and have not been beaten in 12 games this calendar year.
      Eased past Nigeria 2-0 in a friendly earlier this month, and also have wins against USA and Canada to their name in recent months.
      Who are the managers?
      Spain: Luis Enrique was not afraid to leave star names out of his travelling party to Qatar.
      The 52-year-old ex-Barcelona gaffer snubbed David De Gea, Sergio Ramos and Thiago Alcantara from his squad.
      Won 62 caps for Spain as a player, and featured at three World Cups.
      Luis Enrique is aiming to guide Spain to a second World Cup triumphCredit: Getty
      Costa Rica: Luis Fernando Suarez leads Costa Rica into the tournament after taking over the role last year.
      The 62-year-old from Colombia has previous World Cup experience, having been in charge of Ecuador in 2006 when his side were knocked out on the Round of 16 by England.
      He also led Honduras at the 2014 World Cup.
      Luis Fernando Suarez is at his third World Cup as a managerCredit: Getty
      Who are the star players?
      Spain: PEDRI has already been capped 14 times by Spain, despite still being just 19-years-old.
      The teenager is tipped for stardom at Barcelona, where he is already a mainstay in Xavi’s team.
      And Barca rate him so highly they stuck a ONE BILLION EURO release clause into the new contract he signed last year.
      All eyes will be on Spanish midfielder PedriCredit: AP
      How Spain could line up against Costa Rica
      Costa Rica: JOEL CAMPBELL secured Costa Rica’s place at the tournament with the winning goal in their play-off victory against New Zealand.
      The 30-year-old former Arsenal forward is now playing his club football in Mexico with Leon.
      Hasn’t found his scoring boots yet this season with just one in 18 games, but will be hoping that can change in Qatar.
      Joel Campbell is an ex-Arsenal starCredit: Getty
      How Costa Rica could line up against Spain
      What’s the head to head?
      Spain wins: 2
      Costa Rica wins: 0
      Draws: 1
      Which TV channel will show the game?
      Spain vs Costa Rice will be shown live on ITV 1 in the UK.
      It will also be streamed live on ITVX.
      What are the odds?
      Spain win: 2-13
      Costa Rica win: 20-1
      Draw: 7-1
      SunSport prediction
      Spain will quite simply have too much for Costa Rica, who are ranked No31 in the world, in this one.
      They will dominate the ball throughout, and while it may take them a while to gel, that possession will likely turn into goals.
      3-0 Spain More

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      Germany vs Japan – World Cup Group E: How they got there, form and prediction as Germans aim to banish 2018 demons

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      GERMANY kick off their quest for a record-equalling fifth World Cup with a meeting against Japan. The 2018 campaign in Russia ended in a miserable group stage exit, so Hansi Flick’s side will be desperate to right their wrongs from four years ago.

      Although expectation is not particularly high for the 2014 champions, who have reached at least the semis in four of the last five tournaments.
      Japan on the other hand reached the Round of 16 in Russia, and Germany will be desperate not to avoid a slip up, especially with Spain also in the group.
      The Samurai Blue are skippered by former Southampton star Maya Yoshida, with Arsenal ace Takehiro Tomiyasu providing more defensive solidity.
      Here, SunSport previews the Group E clash as Germany look to avoid a repeat of their disastrous 2018 campaign.

      How did they get there?
      Germany: The 2014 champions breezed through qualifying, winning nine out of their 10 games en route to Qatar.
      Their only loss was a shock 2-1 defeat at home to North Macedonia.
      But their qualifying campaign did include a 6-0 win against Armenia and a 9-0 victory over Liechtenstein.
      Japan: The Samurai Blue finished second in their group during the third round of Asian qualifiers to seal their spot in tournament.
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      They qualified automatically, behind Saudi Arabia, winning seven out of their 10 games.

      What’s the form?
      Germany: The Germans aren’t on the best of runs going into the tournament, winning just two out of their last eight games.
      That includes two draws against England, and a shock home defeat to Hungary in September.
      The four-time winners edged past Oman 1-0 in a friendly last week in far from convincing fashion.
      Japan: The Samurai Blue lost a friendly against Canada last week after conceding in the 95th minute.
      But they did register an impressive 2-0 win over USA back in September, with Brighton ace Kaoru Mitoma one of the scorers.
      Underestimating them would be foolish.
      Who are the managers?
      Germany: Hansi Flick is the highest-paid manager at the World Cup, earning a reported £5.5MILLION-a-year.
      The 57-year-old took over in 2021 after a two-year spell with Bayern Munich that saw him guide the Bundesliga side to Champions League glory.
      He also spent eight years as Germany assistant manager from 2006-2014, winning the tournament in Brazil eight years ago.
      Hansi Flick won the World Cup with Germany as assistant managerCredit: Getty
      Japan: Hajime Moriyasu was appointed manager of Japan immediately after the last World Cup.
      The 54-year-old led them to the final of the Asia Cup in 2019.
      But his side were beaten by this year’s World Cup hosts Qatar.
      Hajime Moriyasu will be hoping to upset the odds with Japan at the World CupCredit: AP
      Who are the star players?
      Germany: SERGE GNABRY has been on fire this season for Bayern Munich, and will be hoping to continue that stunning form into the tournament.
      The ex-Arsenal winger has scored 10 goals and provided 10 assists in 23 games in all competitions since the summer.
      His form in recent months has seen him linked with a return to the Gunners.
      Serge Gnabry has been in fine form for Bayern Munich this seasonCredit: Getty
      How Germany could line up against Japan
      Japan: KYOGO FURUHASHI is likely to start up front for Japan, and he could pose some problems for the Germans.
      The 27-year-old has been a revelation since joining Celtic in the summer of 2021.
      Furuhashi has netted 10 times in 13 Scottish Premiership games this season, and has 31 goals in 53 games for Celtic overall.
      Kyogo Furuhashi will be hoping to replicate his club form at the World CupCredit: Getty
      How Japan could line up against Germany
      What’s the head to head?
      Germany wins: 1
      Japan wins: 0
      Draws: 1
      Which TV channel will show the game?
      Germany vs Japan will be shown live on ITV 1 in the UK.
      The game will also be streamed live on ITVX.
      What are the odds?
      Germany win: 4-9
      Japan win: 33-5
      Draw: 7-2
      SunSport prediction
      Germany may not be in the best of form, but, 2018 aside, they turn up when the World Cup comes around.
      And their exciting attackers, mixed with the experienced Thomas Muller and Joshua Kimmich, should be too much for Japan.
      3-1 Germany More

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      World Cup 2022 – Spain vs Costa Rice: Stream FREE, TV channel, kick-off time for group stage clash

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      SPAIN take on tricky side Costa Rica in their opening 2022 World Cup group game. La Roja were the best international team in the world between 2008 and 2012, but those stars have retired and the new generation are finding their feet.
      Spain haven’t won the World Cup since their 2010 triumphCredit: AFP
      Costa Rica reached the knockout stages of the World Cup in 2014Credit: Getty
      They came close to reaching the final of Euro 2020 last year but were knocked out on penalties in the semi-final by Italy.
      Spain will be one of the stronger teams heading into the Qatar showpiece at the end of 2022 and they’ll be hoping they can go a step further than they did in 2018.
      Four years ago in Russia, Spain went out in the last-16, losing a penalty shootout to the tournament hosts.
      Costa Rica have their own World Cup history, as they surprised everyone in 2014 in Brazil, topping a group which contained Italy, England and Uruguay.

      When is Spain vs Costa Rica?

      Spain’s clash with Costa Rica will take place on Wednesday, November 23.
      The game will kick off at 4pm UK time.
      Spain vs Costa Rice will be held at the Al Thumana Stadium in Al Khor.
      The last time the two sides played each other was in 2017 and Spain won 5-0.

      Most read in Football
      What TV channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      Spain vs Costa Rice will be shown live on ITV 1 in the UK.
      You can live stream the action from the ITV Hub, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.

      Can I watch for FREE?
      Yes, the game is available to watch for FREE in the UK, so long as you have a TV licence. More

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      How Jude Bellingham went from footie-loving copper’s son to England’s wonderkid – & quirky reason he wears number 22

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      AT the Adidas concession here in Doha’s sprawling fan zone, a giant picture of Jude Bellingham stares out alongside another of Lionel Messi.Before the tournament kicked off some were wondering if the marketing bods hadn’t got a little ahead of themselves.
      Jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring England’s first goal at the World CupCredit: EPA
      Toddler Jude with dad Mark at a non-league gameCredit: Tim Stewart
      Aged 19, Jude has only played 117 league games — 41 of which were for Birmingham City in the Championship.
      Messi is considered to be the greatest footballer of all time.
      But on Monday afternoon, at Qatar’s Khalifa International Stadium, Jude confirmed he had earned his spot next to the Argentinian.
      After a deft headed goal and a thrilling box-to-box performance in his first game in the World Cup finals, England fans awarded him a rousing rendition of Beatles song Hey Jude.
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      No English teenager has lit up the world stage quite so effervescently since Michael Owen burst on to the scene in 1998 with a wonder goal against Argentina.
      Born in Stourbridge, West Mids, to working-class parents, articulate Jude — with model good looks — remains remarkably grounded.
      “I’m just Jude,” he told a podcast for his German side Borussia Dortmund.
      “I don’t see myself as some sort of special person because I play professional football. I’m no better than anyone else just because I can kick a ball around.”
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      It is a humility ingrained in him from childhood by his mum Denise and dad Mark.
      He has also said of both Mark, 46, and Denise, 54: “Before being great parents they’re great people. Both are working-class and filled me with the things you need to get along.
      “You can take those lessons in your personal life and social life, but also into football: Not giving up, working hard and if you want something, putting in the graft to go and get it.”
      His dad, a police sergeant before retiring last week, was a journeyman non-league striker.
      On blustery, mud-splattered afternoons, Jude, accompanied by his mum and little brother Jobe, watched his father at football outposts from Southend to Sutton Coldfield.
      One photo tweeted by Jude showed him being cradled by his crop-headed dad as he trudged off the pitch before a game for Southend’s Catholic United in Essex.
      Southend-born Mark reached 700 goals aged 40 at Midland League Division Two side Paget Rangers in 2016.
      The landmark — achieved in approximately 850 games — had begun with a strike for East Thurrock United in 1994.
      He had spells with some 15 different clubs, including Bromsgrove Rovers and Stourbridge, but described himself as “not very good!”
      The England midfielder said of his dad: “I used to watch him play all the time, it’s where I started to get that love for football.
      “That non-league style of toughness and being gritty when you need is reflected in my game, and I do think that comes from watching my dad play — even though he never tackled!”
      When Jude signed for Dortmund aged 17, he and Denise moved to the north German city and shared a flat.
      Jude showed ‘unreal’ raw talent at cricket & football aged just 11Credit: Tim Stewart
      Jude and his mum Denise share a cuddleCredit: Twitter
      Last May he said: “My mum keeps me in check on a daily basis, does pretty much everything for me. She keeps me level-headed and grounded, which is the most important thing.”
      Born in June 2003, Jude Victor William Bellingham’s footballing career began on a scrap of grass outside the family’s home in Hagley, near Stourbridge, West Mids.
      Former West Bromwich Albion winger Gary Hackett, who later managed Mark Bellingham at Stourbridge, remembers Jude and Jobe playing in a local park.
      He recalled: “Even if they weren’t involved in the session they would be running and kicking a ball and you could just see they had a passion for football.
      “You could see they were naturally gifted athletes. They could run and they had good technical skills.”
      Jude and Jobe also played cricket.
      Fady Jadayel, coach at Hagley Cricket Club, said: “At 11, Jude stood out as unbelievably talented. He had a raw sporting ability. It’s difficult to express it without sounding weird but he moved with a poise and a grace. His co-ordination was unreal.”
      Cricket would ultimately lose the boys to football.
      Jude signed for Birmingham City’s pre-academy aged seven. Former academy manager and mentor Mike Dodds remembered: “At under-sevens he was just like any other boy, really.
      “He was very good, obviously, but he wasn’t this mercurial, generational talent that people label him now.
      “He wasn’t the best at his age group, he wasn’t completely in love with the game. We liked him but if someone had said he would be in the England squad at 17 we’d have thought that person was crazy.”
      In 2015 Dodds had a conversation with a 12-year-old Jude which would help shape his young charge’s career.
      ‘Poise and grace’
      He explained: “I sat down with him and said, ‘I think you have the ability to play all areas of midfield’, so sitting midfield was a No4, No8 was a box to box and No10 was a scorer and creator.
      “We added all those numbers up and it came to 22. So we decided that was his number.”
      On August 6, 2019, Jude jogged out to face Portsmouth in the Carabao Cup with number 22 on the back of his Blues shirt.
      Aged 16 years and 38 days, he was Birmingham City’s youngest ever first-team player.
      He would play another 43 games for City that season, earning £145 a week, but the Championship was no place for his glittering talents.
      Soon Manchester United were sniffing round.
      But Premiership Big Six teams are tough places for youngsters to break through.
      Dad Mark was keener on Germany’s Borussia Dortmund, who offered a £25million deal and have a track record of blooding young talent, including England’s Jadon Sancho.
      Some believed Birmingham be- haved a little theat- rically when they retired the No22 shirt worn by a teenager on just 44 occasions, but they have been proved prophetically correct.
      In October 2020 he became the youngest Englishman to start a Champions League match, facing Italy’s Lazio aged 17 years and 113 days.
      A month later Gareth Southgate came calling.

      Wearing his beloved No22 shirt, Jude made his England debut as a substitute against the Republic of Ireland at Wembley.
      At 17 years 136 days he became England’s third-youngest full international behind Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney.
      After his first start for England, against Austria in June 2021, Southgate said: “You can’t help but marvel at the performance of a boy that age. It’s a bit disrespectful maybe at 17 to call him a boy, and he certainly plays like a man.”
      Jude with his family signing for Birmingham City in 2019Credit: Birmingham City FC
      Jude’s dad Mark on patrol as a copperCredit: PA
      Former academy coach Dodds credits Jude’s close-knit family with nurturing his stellar career.
      He said: “They’re so consistent and the bond they have is so strong it’s made him very humble and incredibly focused. He’s so driven to be the very best and such a strong family bond is almost the perfect storm.”
      Brother Jobe, 17, is following his trajectory, making his debut for Birmingham last year.
      Last week Mark handed in his West Midlands Police warrant card, tweeting: “As of midnight I became a civilian after 24+ years service. Cops ain’t perfect but they’re trying their best under difficult circumstances. If we can show kindness to each other, we have a chance.”
      In his prime, Mark earned around £200 a week from football.
      Jude earns around £50,000 a week with Dortmund, but could more than triple that with a move to an English or Spanish giant.
      His opportunities off the field also appear limitless.
      So far he has used his new-found fame to fundraise for a school in Kenya.
      Read More on The Sun
      But despite being showered with adulation and riches, Jude is quick to remember those windswept days watching his dad on the muddy playing fields of England.
      He may be billed opposite Messi but it’s the hotshot non-league striker Mark Bellingham who he calls his “first footballing hero”.
      Proud Jude joining Borussia Dortmund in 2020Credit: Getty
      Young Lion Jude in his England trackie with mum DeniseCredit: Twitter
      Jude celebrates with team mate Mason MountCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The Sun reported on Jude leading England to thrash Iran 6-2 in their opening game More

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      World Cup 2022 – Germany vs Japan: Stream FREE, TV channel, kick-off time for big game in Qatar

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      GERMANY kick off their World Cup 2022 campaign in a clash against Group E opponents Japan. The Germans were knocked out in the group stages four years ago at the Russia World Cup so will be looking for a different turnout this time.
      Germany will be hoping to improve on their 2018 World Cup campaignCredit: Getty
      Japan are Germany’s first opponents of the 2022 World CupCredit: Getty
      Players like Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry are now at the forefront of a resurgent German side.
      The four-time World Cup winners are looking to win their first major tournament since their triumph in Brazil in 2014.
      Japan are a tough international side to contend with, however, and will be hoping they can make it to the knockout stages once again.
      They were knocked out at the last-16 stage by Belgium in 2018, lossing 3-2 having been 2-0 up early in the game.

      When is Germany vs Japan?

      Germany’s big clash with Japan will take place on Wednesday, November 23.
      The match will kick off at 1pm UK time in the UK.
      Germany vs Japan will be held in the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan.
      The last time the two sides played each other was in 2019 and they drew 2-2.

      Most read in Football
      What TV channel is it on and can it be live streamed?

      Germany vs Japan will be shown live on ITV 1 in the UK.
      You can live stream the action from the ITV Hub, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.

      Can I watch for FREE?
      Yes, the game is available to watch for FREE in the UK, so long as you have a TV licence. More

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      World Cup 2022 – Morocco vs Croatia: Stream FREE, TV channel, kick-off time for Group F clash

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      CROATIA begin their World Cup campaign with a clash against Morocco. The Croats nearly made history in 2018, reaching the final in Moscow but ultimatley losing to France 4-2.
      Croatia will be hoping they can repeat their 2018 World Cup heroicsCredit: Reuters
      Hakim Ziyech is set to be recalled to the Morocco squad for the 2022 World CupCredit: AFP
      Luka Modric and Co beat England in the semi-finals but the Three Lions got revenge at Euro 2020, beating Croatia 1-0 in the group stages.
      The likes of Mateo Kovacic, Ante Rebic and Sime Vrsaljko will all be in action alongside Modric this winter.

      Morocco, on the other hand, could welcome back Hakim Ziyech, who earlier this year stated he wouldn’t play for ex-head coach Vahid Halilhodzic again.
      But the Moroccan FA replaced Halilhodzic with Walid Regragui earlier this month, so Ziyech could find his way back into the team ahead of Qatar.
      What time does Morocco vs Croatia kick off?

      Croatia’s clash against Morocco will take place on Wednesday, November 23.
      Morocco vs Croatia will kick off at 10am UK time.
      The game will be played at the Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor.

      Most read in Football
      What TV channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      Morocco vs Croatia will be shown live on ITV 1 in the UK.
      You can live stream the action from the ITV Hub, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.

      Can I watch for FREE?
      Yes, the game is available to watch for FREE in the UK, so long as you have a TV licence. More

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      Harry Kane a major injury doubt for England’s World Cup clash against USA after going to hospital for ankle scan

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      HARRY KANE has given England a massive injury scare after being sent for a scan on his ankle.The England skipper was in hospital on Tuesday night for a precautionary scan after suffering the knock in England’s 6-2 win over Iran on Monday.
      Harry Kane went down holding his ankle during the win over IranCredit: Getty
      The England players were concerned for their skipperCredit: Reuters
      He looked to be in some distress following the challenge and has since had a scan in hospitalCredit: Getty
      Kane was spotted limping out of the stadium and is now a doubt for the USA gameCredit: Twitter / @David_Ornstein
      Kane is now a major doubt for Friday’s second group stage clash against United States.
      The Spurs forward was still feeling discomfort on Tuesday and boss Gareth Southgate insisted on tests in Doha.
      England are still hopeful that it is not too serious as he took part in a private warm-down session.
      But the loss of Kane on Friday would be a huge blow for England despite their encouraging start.
      READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP
      Kane has previously suffered ankle issues but there have been few problems in the last two years.
      None of England’s starting XI trained in the warm-down session but Southgate insisted on Monday night he was not worried.
      He said: “I think Harry’s fine. It looked a bad tackle but he carried on in the game.
      “We took him off really because we felt it was a moment we could do that.
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      “It was good to be able to refresh the forward line not only to get the players on, but also to get the players on because there were some very close calls in who starts in those positions.
      “We have some fabulous talent and we had players that, if we needed them to change the game, they could do it.”
      If England are to do well at the World Cup they need a fit Kane.
      Their next training is a behind-closed-doors session on Wednesday morning.
      Kane assisted two of England’s six goals in their stunning World Cup opener.
      Read More on The Sun
      He is just three goals away from overtaking Wayne Rooney as England’s all-time top scorer.
      Kane has already netted 51 times in 76 appearances for his country. More

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      France 4 Australia 1: Giroud equals Henry’s record as all-time top scorer for Les Bleus in World Cup comeback

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      ZIDANE, Platini, Henry, Benzema, Mbappe, Griezmann, Fontaine….when you think of all the superstars who have graced the French shirt over the years, no-one would ever have bet on Olivier Giroud outscoring the lot of them.But the much-maligned 36-year-old has now equalled Thierry Henry’s 51-goal international record after silencing his army of critics with a Doha double.
      Olivier Giroud scored twice as France came from behind to beat Australia 4-1Credit: AFP
      Giroud was overcome with emotion as he levelled Thierry Henry’s all-time goals recordCredit: Getty
      And it is surely only a matter of time before he is out there on his own as the King of France.
      Maybe even as soon as Denmark on Saturday.
      The former Arsenal and Chelsea target man didn’t manage a single shot on target despite playing in all seven games when Les Bleus won the World Cup in Russia four years ago.
      But with the defending champions in danger of suffering the biggest upset on a day of shocks, it was Giroud who came to the rescue of suffering boss Didier Deschamps.
      READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
      What’s more, he opened his Qatar account with his first effort of the night to justify Deschamps’ bold decision not to call up a replacement for the injured Karim Benzema.
      He reached his half century when Kylian Mbappe sent full-back Nat Atkinson into the crowd with an audacious backheel before Adrien Rabiot laid it on a plate for the veteran Milan striker.
      And he hauled himself level with Henry in the 72nd minute when Mbappe hung up a cross and Giroud forced his way between the Aussie central defenders to power a header past keeper Mat Ryan.
      It was just what Deschamps needed to steady his nerves after Rabiot had headed a 27th minute equaliser.
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      Craig Goodwin fired Australia ahead after just nine minutesCredit: EPA
      Adrien Rabiot levelled the score 18 minutes laterCredit: Reuters
      Because up until that moment it looked as though the bold Socceroos were going to detonate the biggest bombshell in World Cup history.
      Four years ago in Russia they had only lost their opening group game to France through a late own-goal.
      And they had clearly been stewing on that one as they made it clear right from the outset that they weren’t interested in any more hard luck stories.
      Yet even the most optimistic Aussies in the Al Janoub Stadium wouldn’t have envisaged their team seizing a tenth minute lead when Mat Leckie cut inside Lucas Hernandez to cross for Craig Goodwin to slam home at the back post.
      Giroud bagged his first of the night after the half-hour markCredit: Getty
      Kylian Mbappe made it 3-1 in the 68th minuteCredit: Getty
      To make matters worse for France, Hernandez twisted his knee as he was beaten to the punch by Leckie and had to be replaced by his younger brother Theo.
      Deschamps must have been starting to believe that someone up there doesn’t like him as he added yet another key player to his ever expanding  list of crocks.
      He’s already had to get by without the injured Benzema, Paul Pobga, N’Golo Kante, Christopher Nkunku and Presnel Kimpembe and now must fear that he will also be without Bayern left-back Hernandez for the rest of the tournament.
      But at least he can still count on Mbappe and after Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski had fluffed their lines earlier in the day, the PSG superstar would not have been human if he wasn’t worrying about delivering another World Cup turkey
      Giroud netted his 51st international goal moments laterCredit: Getty
      Teammates mobbed Giroud as his goal secured the victoryCredit: AFP
      For Mbappe has been built up as one of the faces of Qatar 2022 with his image seemingly plastered on every billboard in Doha.
      And with his team decimated by the absence of half their strongest line-up, there was an even greater weight of his expectation on his young shoulders ahead of the launch of France’s title defence.
      Yet the brilliant 23-year-old carried the burden with ease and gained the reward his efforts deserved when he headed in from Ousmane Dembele’s 68th minute cross.
      He should have scored even earlier but somehow volleyed over from two yards out while Giroud was only just off target with a spectacular second-half scissor kick.
      But Deschamps could afford to shrug off those near misses as his team went through the gears like a well-oiled machine.
      Read More on The Sun
      Just like England, the French came into this tournament on the back of a miserable run of recent results with fans fearing their team had lost its joie de vivre.
      But just like the Three Lions, they have quickly shown that they are serious contenders here in Qatar after laying down an impressive marker in their opening game. More