After some shaky performance at the start of the 2018 World Cup, France somehow managed to overcome Australia 2-1 at Kazan Arena in Kazan, but the Blues couldn’t cover the spread at -1.5 as they were huge favorites against Socceroos, while the clash was ended in the over of the total of 2.5 goals.
Game Recap
The Blues successfully started their 2018 World Cup campaign with a 2-1 victory over Australia, but the bettors who wagered on the spread at -1.5 are certainly disappointed as France just couldn’t meet the expectations to win this game with a bigger margin. On the other hand, the clash was ended in the over of the total of 2.5 goals, so the bettors who decided to bet on the over at -130 are pleased with the final outcome, particularly after a nil-nil draw at the halftime.
France deserved this victory, for sure, as they were a better team than Socceroos who mostly defended in front of their own box. The Blues had the ball on their feet for 55% of the time, taking 13 shots towards Mathew Ryan’s net, while six of them went on target. On the other side, Australia took six shots toward Hugo Lloris goal, but only one of them went on target, while Socceroos took just one corner-kick for 90 minutes, missing their opportunities after set-pieces situations.
Didier Deschamps decided to start with a usual 4-3-3 formation where the 22-year old Benjamin Pavard took the place on the right full-back instead of injured Djibril Sidibe, while at the front, Ousmane Dembele found the place in the starting eleven alongside Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe. On the other side, Australia played in a 4-5-1 formation, mostly looking to stay on its’ half with Aaron Mooy as a deep-lying playmaker.
Kylian Mbappe had an opportunity just two minutes into the first half, but Mathew Ryan saved his shot. France struggled in the first 45 minutes, while Socceroos had one nice chance when Trent Sainsbury tried with a header, but Hugo Lloris was in the right place. In the second half, we saw a couple of penalty kicks, one on each side. Thanks to a Video Assistant Referee, France got the penalty in the 56th minute of the match with Antoine Griezmann making it from the spot. Six minutes later, after Umtiti’s hand play inside the box, Mile Jedinak made it 1-1 from the penalty spot.
However, France was lucky to score the second in the 81st minute when Paul Pogba placed the ball behind Mathew Ryan’s back. After this victory, France is still a +650 favorite to beat the 2018 World Cup, according to BetDSI Sportsbook, whilst the price on the Blues to reach the last four is set at +137. Socceroos showed they are not a bunch of amateurs, but the odds on them to win the title in Russia are at +50000.
