France Too Big, Too Strong and Too Fast, Says Australia Coach Arnold

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Australia v New Zealand - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia - September 22, 2022 Australia coach Graham Arnold REUTERS/Loren Elliott/File Photo
Soccer Football - International Friendly - Australia v New Zealand - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia - September 22, 2022 Australia coach Graham Arnold REUTERS/Loren Elliott/File Photo
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France Too Big, Too Strong and Too Fast, Says Australia Coach Arnold

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Australia v New Zealand - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia - September 22, 2022 Australia coach Graham Arnold REUTERS/Loren Elliott/File Photo
Soccer Football - International Friendly - Australia v New Zealand - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia - September 22, 2022 Australia coach Graham Arnold REUTERS/Loren Elliott/File Photo

Australia coach Graham Arnold admitted his side found France just too much to handle after the Socceroos lost 4-1 to the reigning champions in their opening game at the World Cup on Tuesday.

"At the end of the day the quality of the French team," Arnold said when asked to explain Australia's defeat in the Group D encounter at Al Janoub Stadium.

"They are the previous world champions for a reason. I thought we started the game very well but physically they were just so much bigger and faster and stronger than us today.

"Overall the boys did everything they could and that's all I can ask."

France needed a late own goal to beat Australia when the sides met in their opening game at the 2018 World Cup and the Socceroos raised the prospect of a stunning upset this time in Qatar as they took an early lead, AFP said.

Craig Goodwin, starting after injury ruled out Martin Boyle, put them in front from a Mathew Leckie cross.

However, goals from Adrien Rabiot and Olivier Giroud had France ahead before half-time, and Kylian Mbappe made it 3-1 midway through the second period before another Giroud goal ended any doubt about the outcome.

It was a punishing night at times for some of the Australian players, among them Nathaniel Atkinson, with the 23-year-old Hearts right-back given a torrid time by Mbappe.

"I thought the kid actually did decently well. He did his best against one of the best players in the world," said Arnold.

"But how do you stop someone so quick? It's very difficult. It's a great lesson for the kid and he'll move on from it."

Arnold must now pick his players up quickly before what is already a crunch clash on Saturday against a Tunisia side who showed up well in holding Denmark to a 0-0 draw earlier.

"We've built belief and the energy and focus over the last week since we've been in camp, and the way we started I think we had that belief, but we just got punished for our mistakes," said the coach.

"That's this game gone and now it's about winning on Saturday, so we've got to get ready for it."



Premier League ‘Appalled’ by Racist Abuse Directed at Chelsea’s Fofana 

Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Leicester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - March 9, 2025 Chelsea's Wesley Fofana arrives at the stadium before the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Leicester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - March 9, 2025 Chelsea's Wesley Fofana arrives at the stadium before the match. (Reuters)
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Premier League ‘Appalled’ by Racist Abuse Directed at Chelsea’s Fofana 

Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Leicester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - March 9, 2025 Chelsea's Wesley Fofana arrives at the stadium before the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Leicester City - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - March 9, 2025 Chelsea's Wesley Fofana arrives at the stadium before the match. (Reuters)

The Premier League said it was appalled by the racial abuse suffered by Chelsea center back Wesley Fofana on social media after his side's 1-0 defeat by Arsenal on Sunday.

The 24-year-old France international posted on his Instagram story the screenshots of racist messages he received and said "stupidity and cruelty can no longer hide".

"The Premier League is appalled by the abuse suffered by Chelsea's Wesley Fofana after their match against Arsenal. We will offer our full support to Wesley and the club," the Premier League said in a statement.

"We work with the social media platforms and the authorities to ensure any individuals found guilty of abuse face the strongest possible consequences."

Fofana said on Monday that social media platforms had to take steps to prevent abuse.

"It's not just football; it's not just a 'game' when some believe that their skin color makes them superior to others." he added. "It's time for things to change, for platforms to take action, and everyone to take responsibility."

Chelsea said they were disgusted by the "recent rise in online racial abuse towards our players" and that the abuse would not be tolerated.