The World Cup final has been billed as Messi v Mbappe ever since Argentina and France won through to the decider. But in reality,this match-up is about so much more...
The French win takes the Socceroos to second spot in their group after they defeated Tunisia 1-0 on Saturday night.
Saudi Arabia,who were competing in their sixth World Cup,had never previously won an opening game as Argentinian legend Lionel Messi suffered a setback in his quest to bring home the only trophy that has eluded him.
How will this year’s World Cup play out? Here’s our handy guide to each group in Qatar with a sharper focus on Australia’s tough Group D opponents.
Milligan appears set to retire with the 32-year-old dropping a major hint that he may not continue through to the Asian Cup in January.
Bert van Marwijk took the Socceroos to Russia,but the spectre of his predecessor Ange Postecoglou always loomed somewhere in the background.
The Socceroos stayed alive in the World Cup until their final group game and they won plenty of plaudits. But that isn't enough at the highest level.
Bert Van Marwijk has now left the Socceroos. He did it his way,and wouldn't change a thing.
Australian players praise outgoing coach Bert van Marwijk after the Socceroos elimination from the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Despite the hype,the flag waving and the upstairs neighbours screaming “‘Aussie,Aussie,Aussie,oi,oi,oi’” at 1am,we end up the same way. Defeated.
He's now finished his short stint in charge of the Socceroos but Bert van Marwijk leaves with no regrets,save that his team lacked a goalscorer.