World Cup

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Attendance: 41,279

World Cup | Group Stage

Jun 16, 2018 at 11am UK

France
2-1
Australia Australia

Griezmann (58' pen.), Behich (80' og.)

FT(HT: 0-0)

Jedinak (62' pen.)

Didier Deschamps: 'France can do a lot better'

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter

Published: June 16 2018 | 17:08

Last updated: June 16 2018 | 21:31

Didier Deschamps admits that France can "do a lot better" following their narrow 2-1 win over Australia in their World Cup Group C opener at the Kazan Arena.

Didier Deschamps has acknowledged that France can improve significantly after they laboured to a 2-1 win over Australia in their World Cup Group C opener at the Kazan Arena.

Les Bleus benefited from the competition's first use of VAR technology when they were awarded a debatable second-half penalty, which was converted by Antoine Griezmann.

Uruguayan official Andres Cunha initially played on after Josh Risdon's challenge on Griezmann before pointing to the spot, having consulted video replays at the side of the pitch.

Although Australia captain Mile Jedinak levelled from the spot four minutes later following a Samuel Umtiti handball, goal-line technology was used when Paul Pogba's deflected shot crept over the line in the 81st minute.

"It was not easy, but winning the first match is very important," Deschamps told L'Equipe. "It was complicated today with a team who gave us a hard time. It's hard to explain everything. We missed a change of pace, a little juice.

"At the end of the match, we had a few more opportunities. It's hard for everyone, apart from the first match of the Russians against Saudi Arabia. We did the job. But we can do better, do a lot better."

France return to action on Thursday night against Peru.