KAZAN ARENA, Russia: France beat Australia 2-1 in their World Cup Group match here, with Antoine Griezmann leading France's attack against the Socceroos.
Didier Deschamps' side benefitted from a curious video assistant referee (VAR) decision that cost Australia a clean sheet.
France were given and scored a controversial penalty against Australia after the use of VAR early in the second half.
Les Bleus forward Griezmann went down in the 18-yard box after a tackle from Josh Risdon in the 58th minute.
Risdon appeared to clip the ball and, as such, the referee didn't give an initial penalty, deeming Griezmann to have gone down too easily.
But once play stopped, the referee checked replays using VAR and perceived that Griezmann had been fouled, despite there appearing to be minimal — if any — contact on the Atletico Madrid star.
Griezmann, who top scored at Euro 2016, coolly and calmly struck the spot kick into the right-hand corner of Australia's net in the 58th minute to give Didier Deschamps' men the lead.
Socceroos supporters in the Kazan Arena booed the decision, which will prove to be a hugely contentious first use of VAR at Russia 2018 and in World Cup history.
Referees are supposed to be 100 per cent sure that a decision is correct if they change after using VAR. Moments later, however, a handball from Samuel Umtiti on a cross into France's area conceded a penalty in Australia's favour.
Mile Jedinak sent France goalkeeper and captain Huge Lloris in the wrong direction to level the scoring at 1-1 in the 62nd minute — and perhaps do some justice on the Uruguayan referee's decision at the other end that led to them conceding.
Australian soccer fans are familiar with VAR farces having seen a "technical failure" allow a controversial goal to stand in the A League's grand final earlier this year.
VAR is widely expected to be a hot talking point in Russia this summer, with concerns that referees and technology are not ready for such a high-profile debut in FIFA's grand event.
Here's the World Cup Group C result on Saturday:
France 2 (Griezmann 58-pen, Pogba 81), Australia 1 (Jedinak 62-pen)
Griezmann scored for France in the 58th minute in a penalty, which was equalised by Australia's captain Mile Jedinak on the 62nd — also on a penalty.
But Manchester United's Paul Pogba scored another one for France in the 81st minute.
Teenager Mbappe led Les Bleus' front line in Kazan. Mbappe, one of 14 players in France's squad who have yet to feature in a major tournament, has been in great form for Paris Saint-Germain last season and kicked off Saturday's Group C opener flanked by Atletico Madrid's Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele of Barcelona.
Starting line-ups for the World Cup Group C opening game between France and Australia on Saturday:
France (4-3-3)
Hugo Lloris (capt); Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane, Samuel Umtiti, Lucas Hernandez; Corentin Tolisso, N'Golo Kante, Paul Pogba; Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe
Coach: Didier Deschamps (FRA)
Australia (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Bert van Marwijk (NED)
Mathew Ryan; Josh Risdon, Trent Sainsbury, Mark Milligan, Aziz Behich; Aaron Mooy, Mile Jedinak (capt); Robbie Kruse, Tom Rogic, Mathew Leckie; Andrew Nabbout
Referee: Andres Cunha (URU)