France v Australia, 16 June 2018

Kick-off: 1.00pm local France v Australia was Match 5 of the FIFA World Cup 2018 Refereeing team: Andres Cunha (Uruguay) Assistant Referee 1: Nicolas Taran (Uruguay) Assistant Referee 2: Mauricio Espinosa (Uruguay) Fourth Official: Julio Bascunan (Chile) Reserve AR: Christian Schiemann (Chile) VAR: Mauro Vigiliano (Argentina) For the first time in World Cup history, a penalty was awarded following advice from the VAR official. In the 56th minute, France's Antoine Griezmann fell in the penalty area following a challenage by Josh Risdon. Referee Andres Cunha initially waved away the French appeals but was advised by VAR official Mauro Vigiliano to review his decision on the pitch side monitor. Having viewed the incident again, he reversed his decision and awarded a penalty which Griezmann converted. France's second goal by Paul Pogba was confirmed with the aid of goalline technology. This became the first World Cup finals game since Senegal versus Uruguay in 2002 when both teams scored a penalty in normal time. Within four minutes, the two penalties in this game are believed to the shortest period of time between two penalties being scored by both teams in the World Cup finals. France’s starting line-up had an average age of 24 years and six months; their youngest for an opening game of the World Cup finals since 1930 against Mexico (23 years and 11 months). At 19 years and 178 days, Kylian Mbappé became the youngest player to represent France in a game at the World Cup finals. The previous record was held by Bruno Bellone in the 3rd place play-off against Poland in 1982 (20 years and 118 days). Australia had now lost four of their five opening games at World Cup finals. At 19 years and 163 days, Daniel Arzani became the youngest player to make a World Cup finals appearance for Australia. He was also the youngest player at this tournament.