World Cup

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World Cup | Group Stage

Nov 22, 2022 at 7pm UK

France
4 - 1
Australia

Rabiot (27'), Giroud (32', 71'), Mbappe (68')

FT(HT: 2-1)

Goodwin (9')
Duke (55'), Irvine (80'), Mooy (90+5')

France handed major Karim Benzema, Raphael Varane injury boosts

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 19 November 2022

Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane reportedly return to full training ahead of France's World Cup 2022 opener with Australia in Group D on Monday.

France duo Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane have both returned to full training ahead of Les Bleus' World Cup 2022 Group D opener with Australia, according to a report.

The reigning world champions have been bedevilled by injuries in the build-up to the tournament and were handed concerns over Benzema and Varane prior to making the journey to Qatar.

Ballon d'Or winner Benzema has struggled to stay fit throughout the 2022-23 season, having spent time out with a knee injury prior to dealing with muscular fatigue.

The 34-year-old missed Real Madrid's final two La Liga games before the World Cup break and was understood to have still been a doubt for the clash with Australia on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Varane has not played since coming off with a hamstring injury against Chelsea on October 22, missing Manchester United's most recent six matches in all tournaments.

Manchester United's Raphael Varane goes off injured against Chelsea on October 22, 2022 © Reuters

However, in a major double boost to Didier Deschamps's ranks, L'Equipe reports that both players have been able to participate in full training on Saturday evening.

The report adds that there are still no guarantees over both players' chances of starting against Australia, with Deschamps not prepared to take any unnecessary risks early doors.

Benzema and Varane boast a remarkable 184 international caps between them, with the former racking up 87 appearances for the national team while the latter has 97 caps to his name.

Benzema was absent from France's 2018 World Cup triumph during his exile from the national team, while Varane played every minute at the tournament as Les Bleus took home the trophy.

Should Benzema not be risked from the off, Olivier Giroud could potentially fill in alongside Kylian Mbappe, with Antoine Griezmann acting in the hole behind the two strikers.

France coach Didier Deschamps during training on November 14, 2022 © Reuters

Meanwhile, the likes of Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Ibrahima Konate, Axel Disasi and Lucas Hernandez will battle to start at the back if Varane is spared on the opening matchday.

Prior to naming his final World Cup squad, Deschamps lost the likes of Mike Maignan, Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante to injuries and has also suffered further blows since making his selections.

Presnel Kimpembe failed to recover from an Achilles issue in time and was replaced by Disasi, while Christopher Nkunku suffered a serious knee injury during training on Tuesday at Clairefontaine.

The RB Leipzig attacker was ruled out of the World Cup that same evening to be replaced by Randal Kolo Muani, and there are fears that his issue could sideline him for a couple of months.

Following Monday's clash with Australia in Group D, France will continue the defence of their crown against Denmark on November 26 before meeting Tunisia on November 30.