WATCH: Craig Goodwin shocks World Cup 2022 with Australia taking lead over France
World Cup 2022 shocks continue with Australia leading champions France
World Cup 2022's shocks are continuing, with Australia taking the lead against France.
Argentina lost the day's first game after Saudi Arabia stunned Lionel Messi and co. with statistically the most unlikely shock at a World Cup. Much-fancied Denmark also failed to bank three points on the first time of asking, drawing against Tunisia in the other game in France's group.
The holders of the competition, Les Bleus succumbed to a Craig Goodwin strike, with the 30-year-old Adelaide United star getting to on the end of a cross. More woe followed for head coach Didier Deschamps, as Lucas Hernandez hit the deck despite not connecting with an opponent, looking to have twisted his knee.
What a start for the Socceroos! 🙌Craig Goodwin has given Australia a shock early lead over France 😲🇫🇷 0-1 🇦🇺💻🖥📱 Watch on @BBCiPlayer, listen on @BBCSounds, get more on the @BBCSport app#BBCWorldCup #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/fQJedcEzMsNovember 22, 2022
Goodwin, who's only been capped 10 times by the Socceroos, wasted no time in capitalising on France's problems to score a stunning opening goal.
Bayern Munich star Hernandez was replaced by his brother Theo, who plays for AC Milan, in an early change. The injury will come as a crushing blow to Deschamps, who is already missing a number of key stars.
The midfield pairing from 2018's triumph, both N'Golo Kante and Paul Pogba have been ruled out of the 2022 edition through injury. RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku then had to withdraw from the squad after France had their named their 26-man roster.
Perhaps the biggest loss of the lot, Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema was then sidelined for the entirety of the World Cup, giving Oliver Giroud the opportunity to lead the line for the two-time world champions. Milan striker Giroud is two goals short of Thierry Henry's all-time scoring record.
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Mike Maignan, Presnel Kimpembe and Raphael Varane have all struggled with injuries, too: only the latter has made France's squad.
Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.
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