In the microcosm of collective sports, the confrontations between France and Australia are settled, most often, fifteen against fifteen. In the land of ovals, these are tough duels culminating in a World Cup final won by the Wallabies at the Millennium in Cardiff in 1999 (35-12).
Among footballers, the oppositions between the two countries can be counted, before that of this Tuesday evening, on the fingers of one hand (4 successes for 1 defeat in 2011). We chose to revisit 3 of them.
May 26, 1994, the baptisms of fire of Barthez and Dugarry
Absent from the American World Cup, France, now led by Aimé Jacquet, is seeking to rebuild itself just a few months after the Bulgarian crash (2-1 defeat synonymous with non-participation in the World Cup). At the end of spring, she heads for Japan where she has been invited to play in the Kirin Cup, a quadrangular tournament to oppose her to Argentina, Australia and the host country. Initially, the Blues should have first fought with the Albiceleste. But the latter gives up this tournament after the Japanese authorities refused to issue a visa to… Diego Maradona and Claudio Caniggia, two players recently involved in drug cases.
Make way for the Socceroos, at the Universiade Memorial Stadium in Kobe. This is a first between the two nations. Barthez, decisive in the second half, and Dugarry show off their international stripes. On a wet ground, Éric Cantona, on receiving a center from Dugarry, signs, with his head, the only goal of the meeting (1-0). Previously, Jean-Pierre Papin saw his penalty stopped by Željko Kalac (his 3rd failure out of 8 attempted in selection). JPP’s partners will continue with a success against Japan and in the process will put their name on the Kirin Cup list.
October 11, 2013, end of series for Benzema
For their first appearance at the Parc des Princes in six years, the Blues scatter a very weak team from Australia, however qualified for the World Cup in Brazil. It was necessary to go back to a match against the Faroe Islands, six years earlier, to find traces of such an ample success (6-0). By the way, the men of Didier Deschamps are building up confidence before receiving Finland, four days later, in a meeting which can allow them to be seeded in the play-offs of the World Cup, to which the Blues are certain. to participate since the victory of the Czech Republic in Malta (1-4).
After half an hour the mass is said. Ribéry, Giroud twice and Cabaye took advantage of the opponent’s incredible naivety. But the small “event” of this friendly match comes at the start of the second period. Entering the game in place of Giroud, Karim Benzema puts an end to 1222 minutes of ineffectiveness in front of goal in the selection. The Real Madrid striker takes advantage of an offering from Ribéry to close the attacking festival. Teasingly, the public at the Parc des Princes chants a “he scored” undoubtedly intended for the Ballon d’Or 2022, package for the World Cup… The striker, with a smirk, applauds his supporters.
June 16, 2018, a providential striker named… Behich
History has fun stuttering. Like this Tuesday, the French had started their 2018 World Cup against Australia. No one knows if this World Cup in Qatar will reserve them the same plumed suite. On the other hand, Didier Deschamps would like to experience a clearer introduction. Because the short success of the band in Lloris (2-1) had, to say the least, been born in pain. The VAR first came to the rescue of the winded Blues by confirming the penalty converted by Antoine Griezmann. It was then necessary to use goal line technology to validate Paul Pogba’s strike, diverted by the unfortunate defender Aziz Behich.
France, victorious in only one of its last four inaugural World Cup matches (two draws and one defeat), in 2014 against Honduras (3-0), had in the meantime played with our nerves. On an Australian cross, Samuel Umtiti had raised his right hand to deflect the coveted Jedinak ball! This penalty, converted by this same Jedinak, then put the two nations on an equal footing. Deschamps will quickly learn the lessons of this start. He will put back his starting formula in 4-3-3. It is with Giroud in place of Dembélé and Matuidi, preferred to Tolisso, in the position of left midfielder, that the Blues in an asymmetrical 4-2-3-1 will win their second star a month later.