SA referees Gomes, Zakhele impress as France thrash Australia
South African referees Victor Gomes and Zakhele Siwela impressed as holders France thrashed Australia 4-1 in a 2022 FIFA World Cup Group D meeting in Qatar on Tuesday evening.
Gomes took charge of the game while being assisted by compatriot Siwela and Souru Phatsoane of Lesotho. Rwandan Salima Mwakasanga was the fourth official.
France deployed Olivier Giround at the tip of the attack sandwiched by pacy Ousmane Dembele and Kilian Mbappe.
Australia stunned the defending champions by scoring an early goal in the ninth minute at Al Janoub Stadium.
The Socceroos launched a blistering counterattack by switching the ball from the right to the left where Craig Goodwin connected the cross into the net.
France’s woes were compounded by the injury of Bayern Munich defender Lucas Hernandez. He limped off and he was replaced by Theo Hernandez.
INJURY CONCERNS FOR FRANCE
Adrian Rabiot equalized for France when he headed the ball past Ryan after meeting a long ball pumped forward after Australia had cleared poorly a corner-kick in the 25th minute.
The AC Milan striker Giroud threatened to add the second goal with a thumping header which went off the bar.
There was no denying the former Arsenal man as he slid home after Australia were caught in possession before the ball was played behind Australia defence in the 31st minute.
Giroud and Mbappe had other chances to kill off the contest but they could not just find the right connection.
The two goals took the wind off Australia’s sails as they sat back while waiting for a counterattack.
Australia did provide a reminder that they were not dead and buried as they hit the post with a header which bounced off the post.
Giroud added his second goal of the evening in the 71st minute, three minutes after Mbappe had finally opened his World Cup scoring account to settle the contest.
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