World Cup 2022 day three: France defeat Australia as Saudi Arabia stun Lionel Messi’s Argentina

Downing Street said the treatment of UK fans at the World Cup was being closely monitored after the authorities in Qatar confiscated rainbow bucket hats from Wales supporters. Former Wales team captain Laura McAllister, who is an ambassador for her country at the tournament, was among a number of women told to remove the hats.

Asked about the incident, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Obviously it’s not the approach that this government would take if we were hosting any tournament. LGBT rights are a fundamental part of the United Kingdom.

“We have raised concerns about LGBT visitors with the Qatari authorities at all levels leading up to the tournament and obviously we will continue to monitor it carefully.”

He added: “We will monitor carefully UK fans in the region and how they are treated and obviously people are going there to enjoy a football tournament, first and foremost, and we are confident that’s what the Qataris will want to be focused on as well, facilitating people supporting their teams.”

Quelle dommage! France may be coming into this World Cup as the reigning champs, but they’re not without their problems.

Les Bleus have a series of injury issues, including to star striker Karim Benzema, who’s been ruled out of the tournament, and Didier Deschamps has also had to contend with injuries to the likes of Paul Pogba, N’golo Kante and Presnel Kimpembe.

Here’s an overview of the French injury crisis.

France take on Australia in this evening’s match.

Robert Lewandowski is Poland’s talismanic striker, but he’s just had his penalty by Mexico’s 37-year-old keeper Guillermo Ochoa.

The match remains goalless, and that also means that the Barcelona star still looking for his first World Cup goal.

Certainly one player whose club career overshadows his international achievements (through no fault of his own).

After England’s goal-fest yesterday, today has been much less prolific. Mexico v Poland has just ended 0-0, and that followed Denmark’s goalless draw with Tunisia.

A good day for the defenders (and Saudi Arabia).

Let’s hope we see some attacking brillance in tonight’s match between France and Australia.

It’s been a day of shocks and upsets, and at the start of France v Australia many fans would have been thinking we were for more of the same.

Australia took a shock lead in the 9th minute, as winger Goodwin fired a bullet behind French goalie Hugo Lloris.

However, the Aussie party was cut short quickly after Rabiot drew the World Cup champions level, with a Giroud goal following.

France leads 2-1 at the break, but with Australia’s Jackson Irvine hitting the woodwork shortly before the end of the half who knows where the night could lead...

Defending World Cup champions France have prevailed against Australia, despite going behind early in a thoroughly entertaining match (if you aren’t an Australia fan).

The Soccaroos took the early lead, with a Goodwin goal in the ninth minute. However, Les Bleus quickly look the lead thanks to goals from Rabiot and Giroud before the break.

Despite a promising end to the first half for Australia, as Jackson Irvine hit the post, France were too much to handle in the second half.

France’s young star Mbappe finally got his goal in the 68th minute after coming close many times before in the game.

This was followed by a second Giroud goal in the 71st minute. Giroud’s brace in the match means that he matches Thierry Henry for France’s highest goalscorer - could he break the record in the tournament...?

The result ended 4-1 to France, with the defending champions now top of Group D after the first round of matches.