FIFA World Cup: France vs Australia Odds & Recap
Les Bleus vs. Socceroos in Group D Opener

⚽France vs Australia: Game Recap⚽
Results: France 4 – 1 Australia
No Benzema, no Kante, no problem! Olivier Giroud scored twice to go level with Thierry Henry as France’s record all-time scorer, and Kylian Mbappe helped torment Australia’s defense in a 4-1 victory for the reigning champions.
According to the bookies, France vs Australia odds, this was going to be one of the most one-sided round matches. However, given the uncertainty surrounding the team regarding injuries, France’s moneyline might not offer the best value at -425 odds.
A draw came in at +525 odds, while Australia was a massive underdog at +1300. Australia’s best bet is taking advantage of a young French midfield. The match’s over/under goal total was listed as three goals. The under was -135 odds, while the over sat at +115.
Fortunately for those who bet on the over, they got themselves a fair enough payout. This was probably not the best match to bet on if you were rooting for an upset.
Didier Deschamps was without his first-choice center-forward after Karim Benzema withdrew with a thigh injury on the eve of the tournament, but France looked lethal in attack. Giroud, Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Antoine Griezmann combined well.
On a day that started with Argentina losing to Saudi Arabia, France was scared when Australia’s Craig Goodwin beat Hugo Lloris high in the ninth minute. Defender Lucas Hernández was lost to injury on the goal. Australia aimed to regulate the tempo and was composed in possession. France was made easier by hardly being the most enthusiastic of pressing teams.
From there, it was all France. It was almost as if Deschamps had turned on a switch and the team had gone off. Not even five minutes after conceding, France scored their first goal, thanks to Adrien Rabiot. Minutes later, it was Rabiot again, except he assisted Olivier Giroud. The following two goals came in the second half from Giroud, who tied the all-time French scoring record, and Mbappe to finish the match 4-1.
Were We Savvy?
Below you will find all the predictions we made before the matchup, on November 16, 2022.
Can France Put Controversies Behind Them?
It’s been a tumultuous year for France but they’ll kick off their World Cup defense vs. Australia. Les Bleus will be missing a bunch of key players, which means they’ll have to rely on youth. Meanwhile, Australia are happy just to be here after an arduous qualification process. Even with on and off the field issues, expectations are still high for France. That said, let’s check the France vs Australia odds and soccer preview the match.
France vs. Australia
Date, time (TV):
Location: Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar
Streaming: FOX, Telemundo, Peacock
Team Standings and Odds:
Team | FIFA World Ranking | World Cup Qualifying Record | Odds to Advance | Odds to Win Group | Odds to Win World Cup |
France | 4 | 5-3-0, 1st UEFA Group D | -2000 | -250 | +600 |
Australia | 38 | 5-4-3, 3rd AFC Group B | +450 | +1400 | +35000 |
All Meetings: | Teams |
---|---|
Jun 2018: | France 2-1 Australia |
Oct 2013: | France 6-0 Australia |
Nov 2001: | Australia 1-1 France |
Jun 2001: | Australia 1-0 France |
May 1994: | Australia 0-1 France |
France and Australia have met on five previous occasions, most recently in 2018. En route to winning the World Cup, France defeated Australia 2-1 in Group C. Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba scored for France and the retired Mile Jedinak added a penalty for the Socceroos. Australia’s only win vs. France came in the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup. The France vs Australia odds heavily favor Les Bleus in this one.
France Not at Their Best
- France Upcoming Matches: Nov. 26 vs. Denmark, Nov. 30 vs. Tunisia
The lead up to the World Cup has been less than ideal for France both on and off the pitch. The defending World Cup champions are looking quite unstable and they’ve been hit hard by injuries. Even without the drama surrounding Les Bleus, they’re missing Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Boubacar Kamara and Presnel Kimpembe. Pogba and Kante were two of France’s best players in their 2018 triumph.
Even without them, the FIFA World Cup betting odds price France as the third-most likely team to take home the trophy. France sit at +600 odds to win the World Cup but recent events have put a repeat in serious doubt. Kylian Mbappe has had a well-publicized feud with the French Football Federation over image rights.
According to Pogba’s brother, who allegedly tried to extort him, Pogba allegedly called a witch doctor to hex Mbappe. The FFF is being investigated for a pattern of sexual assault cover-ups and the product on the field has been awful.
France won just one of their six matches in the recent UEFA Nations League and finished behind both Denmark and Croatia in League A, Group 1. France dropped both matches to Denmark and will play them next Saturday. With all of the midfield injuries, young players like Aurelien Tchouameni and Matteo Guendouzi may be relied on.
Les Bleus are still solid up top and at the back. Arsenal’s William Saliba has been arguably the best defender in the EPL this season and could be in line to start at center back. Karim Benzema just won the Ballon d’Or, Mbappe is playing incredibly for PSG and Olivier Giroud has a ton of experience. Despite all of the controversy, France have the firepower to make another run.
Nothing to Lose for Australia
- Australia Upcoming Matches: Nov. 26 vs. Tunisia, Nov. 30 vs. Denmark
It was a journey just for Australia to qualify for the World Cup. After finishing third in AFC Group B, Australia contested a playoff vs. the UAE in June. Ajdin Hrustic’s 84th minute winner gave the Socceroos a 2-1 win and set up an intercontinental playoff vs. Peru. Australia’s match vs. Peru finished scoreless and backup goalie Andrew Redmayne was the hero in penalty kicks. With their victory, the Socceroos qualified for a fifth straight World Cup.
Expectations aren’t very high, especially in a group with Denmark and France for a second straight tournament. FIFA betting tips don’t typically recommend taking Australia to advance out of the group. The Socceroos sit at +450 odds to advance but haven’t done so since 2006. Still, there are some talented players on this team.
Mat Ryan is a lock to start in goal and has Premier League and La Liga experience. Defender Harry Souttar is back from an ACL injury and he’s a big threat on set pieces, at 6’6”. Midfielders Jackson Irvine and Aaron Mooy have a lot of experience and are the heart and soul of the team.
Martin Boyle and Awer Mabil are wingers who can make things happen. With nothing to lose, don’t be surprised if Australia pull off a result or two in a difficult group.
Match Analysis and Odds:
According to the France vs Australia odds, this could be one of the most lopsided first round matches. France come into the match as 1½-goal favorites and are priced at -140 odds to cover. Meanwhile, Australia sit at +120 odds to cover and they managed to keep things close the last time these soccer teams met at the World Cup. Given the uncertainty surrounding the team, France’s moneyline might not offer the best value, at -425 odds.
A draw comes in at +525 odds, while Australia are big underdogs, at +1300. Australia’s best bet in the match is taking advantage of a young and disjointed French midfield. None of France’s center mids have any World Cup experience and they may certainly be feeling a fair bit of pressure. It will be difficult for Australia’s defense to contain France, though.
France have seven attackers who would all start for virtually any other team. It’ll be interesting to see how Didier Deschamps manages the minutes for Benzema, Giroud and Mbappe and works in Ousmane Dembele, Kingsley Coman, Antoine Griezmann and breakout star Christopher Nkunku.
The under is implied to be more likely, at -135 odds, while the over sits at +115.
Nkunku, the Bundesliga’s leading scorer, was injured in France training and it’s unclear if he’ll be available for the match. Regardless, the over/under goal total for the match is listed as three goals. The under is implied to be more likely, at -135 odds, while the over sits at +115. This should be a very interesting match to watch, especially since France are looking the most vulnerable they have in years.