As Australia and France cross paths for the second successive time at the FIFA World Cup, we examine our previous matches against one of the tournament favourites.
The two nations first met in 1994 and have gone on to encounter each other a further four times, most recently facing them in Russia in 2018.
Australia are situated in Group D of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ alongside France, Tunisia and Denmark.
Head-to-head
Played: 5
Wins: 1
Draws: 1
Losses: 3
1994 | 1-0 loss | Kirin Japan Cup
The Subway Socceroos met France for the inaugural time at the Kirin Cup in Japan in May 1994. They faced a star-studded Les Bleus outfit in the torrential rain of Kobe. Despite a gallant effort, the Aussies were undone by Eric Cantona’s looping header before half-time and were unable to find an equaliser in the treacherous conditions.
2001 | 1-0 win | FIFA Confederations Cup
One of Australia’s biggest upsets in their history occurred against the reigning World Cup and European champions at the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2001. With more than 44,000 people in attendance at the Daegu World Cup Stadium, Frank Farina’s side secured a shock 1-0 victory. Making his international debut goalkeeper Grégory Coupet could only parry Josip Skoko’s free-kick onto the post with Clayton Zane alert to the situation and following up on the rebound.
While both teams were missing key players from Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka to Claude Makélélé, Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane, it still remains a momentous day in Australian football history. France would go onto win the tournament with Australia losing to Japan in the semi-finals before beating an experimental Brazil squad 1-0 in the third place play-off.
2001 | 1-1 draw | International Friendly
A few months later Australian and France would meet again, on this occasion in a friendly clash at the MCG in front of more than 53,000 fans. The Aussies took the lead via a Craig Moore header before David Trézéguet equalised for the visitors soon after the restart following an incisive attacking move. The result proved their Confederations Cup win was not just down to luck against a stronger side France line-up which featured the likes of captain Marcel Desailly, Robert Pirés, Patrick Vieira, Zidane and of course Trézéguet.
2013 | 6-0 loss | International Friendly
Unfortunately, in 2013, Australia experienced the full force of a free-flowing French outfit firing on all cylinders, humbling the Subway Socceroos 6-0 at the Parc des Princes. Franck Ribéry opened the scoring from the spot and continued to cause havoc involved in both of Olivier Giroud’s tidy finishes and then Yohan Cabaye chimed in from distance to have Les Bleus cruising inside 30 minutes. Didier Deschamps side was not finished, however, with Mathieu Debuchy and Karim Benzema adding goals five minutes inside the second-half and consigning Australia to one of its toughest days during the 2010s.
2018 | 2-1 loss | FIFA World Cup
Australia began its FIFA World Cup 2018 campaign against highly fancied France in Kazan. In warm conditions, the Aussies did well to frustrate their opponents until their resistance would come unstuck via a history making moment. It was the first time VAR was used in a World Cup match after Antoine Griezmann was awarded a penalty.
The referee initially waved away the protests for a foul but following intervention from the VAR, the Uruguayan official was advised to reassess his decision. Mile Jedinak responded, converting a spot-kick himself four minutes later. But Australia would cruelly be denied a famous stalemate after Paul Pogba’s deft chip crossed the line on 81 minutes.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ - Australia's Group D Matches
France v Australia
Date: Wednesday, 23 November 2022
Venue: Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah
Kick-off: 6:00am (AEDT)
Watch: Live on SBS and SBS On Demand
Tunisia v Australia
Date: Saturday, 26 November 2022
Venue: Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah
Kick-off: 9:00pm (AEDT)
Watch: Live on SBS and SBS On Demand
Australia v Denmark
Date: Thursday, 1 December 2022
Venue: Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah
Kick-off: 2:00am (AEDT)
Watch: Live on SBS and SBS On Demand