United States
Argentina 
Australia 
Austria 
Brazil 
Canada 
Chile 
Czechia 
France 
Germany 
Greece 
Italy 
Mexico 
New Zealand 
Nigeria 
Norway 
Poland 
Portugal 
Sweden 
Switzerland 
United Kingdom Olivier Giroud's Historic Career Praised as Kylian Mbappé, France Crush Australia
There was a moment during Tuesday's final game at the World Cup when another upset appeared to be brewing.
Australia scored the first goal against defending champions France within nine minutes, and after Saudi Arabia's shocking upset of Argentina earlier in the day, there was a feeling that anything could happen at Qatar's winter World Cup.
FOX Soccer @FOXSoccerAUSTRALIA TAKES THE LEAD ???????????? pic.twitter.com/k1Iq4PrMXh
France promptly extinguished that belief, led by the explosive attacking pair of Oliver Giroud and Kylian Mbappé.
Giroud's brace and Mbappé's goal and assist led France in a swashbuckling and dominant 4-1 performance that could have been far worse for the Aussies. France recovered from its early concession by swarming the Australian box for the remainder of the game.
FOX Soccer @FOXSoccerRABIOT TIES ITFrance levels the score ???? pic.twitter.com/JT5ZFlagwH
FOX Soccer @FOXSoccerGIROUD ????He scores his 50th goal for France and puts Les Bleus out in front! pic.twitter.com/MDzBWoDJOI
FOX Soccer @FOXSoccerMBAPPE SCORES HIS FIRST GOAL OF THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP ????????????France takes a 3-1 lead pic.twitter.com/MxShrtsNTE
FOX Soccer @FOXSoccerOLIVIER GIROUD ????With this goal he ties Thierry Henry for the most goals in France men's national team history ???????? pic.twitter.com/3GOz3FqUrF
It was a historic performance for Giroud, who tied Thierry Henry for the most international goals in French history (51). It was yet another impressive showing from Mbappé, arguably the brightest young star in the game today.
Suffice to say, football Twitter was singing the pair's praises after the match:
James Benge @jamesbengeOne of the great forwards at bringing the best out of those around him gets his starring moment in the history books. Olivier Giroud, level with Thierry Henry as France’s record scorer.
Men in Blazers @MenInBlazersIncredible. Olivier Giroud equals Thierry Henry as France's all-time top scorer with his 51st International goal. He almost too good looking for us to take seriously. But that is some record ????????
Amy Lawrence @amylawrence71At the age of 21 Olivier Giroud was playing in the third tier of French football. A pro career of any description was by no means certain. Never give up folks. ⚽️
Gary Lineker ???????? @GaryLinekerMore magnificence from Mbappe leads to Olivier Giroud equalling Thierry Henry’s French goal scoring record. A great achievement.
Nicholas W. Goss @NickGossNBCSBOmg Mbappe and Giroud are putting on a CLINIC ????????⚽️
Sam Tighe @stighefootballMbappé, mate. https://t.co/SmgoBZ5OEA
Muhammad Butt @muhammadbuttDembélé and Mbappé on the flanks of your attack is just unfair. so, so much match-winning potential.
Gary Lineker ???????? @GaryLinekerThe wonderful, mesmerising @KMbappe scores his first goal of this World Cup. I doubt it will be the last.
Ben Jacobs @JacobsBenKylian Mbappe is off the mark. He deserved that goal. 12 goals in his last 11 games for France. pic.twitter.com/RzckU00cey
VisualGame @avisualgameHe has a long career ahead of him to win the champions league, his numbers are phenomenal at all levels, he’s electric, brilliant to watch, plays for his hometown club. Superstar.
Giroud likely will break Henry's record at this World Cup, with Karim Benzema injured. And someday, Mbappé will almost assuredly break Giroud's record.
Australia was always going to be overmatched against France, early shocker or not, but Tuesday's performance was a reminder that the French are real threats to defend as champions.
They don't have many weaknesses. Their ability to break opponents down on either flank and create chance after chance is a cascading wave that tends to find any cracks in a defensive dam. They are experienced and deep, and Mbappé may be the best player at the tournament, full stop.
How many countries could lose a Ballon d'Or winner like Benzema and still look like this? How many could plug that gap with a player of Giroud's quality?
Not many, is the answer. Maybe none.
So yes, upsets were in the air on Tuesday. France descended upon them like a tornado, blowing out Australia in a performance that reminded the world of the threat posed by the defending champs.
