Thuram makes World Cup debut for France

Marcus Thuram has played in the World Cup for the first time. The Gladbach forward was subbed on shortly before the final whistle as his nation defeated Australia 4-1 in their opening game.

Although Marcus Thuram (photo: imago images / Pro Sports Image) did not have time to do much, despite plenty of minutes being added on at the end of the match, Dortmund’s top scorer did make his first ever World Cup appearance, recording nine minutes after having subbed on for Olivier Giroud in the 89th minute.

The second game in Group D had been long decided by that point. Craig Goodwin did in fact put the underdogs in front in the ninth minute, but Adrien Rabiot (27’) and Giroud (32’) turned proceedings around in front of some 40,875 spectators before half-time. Kylian Mbappe (68’) and then Giroud’s second (71’) put the game to bed in the second 45. It was the first time the defending world champions won their opening group fixture since Brazil did so in 2006.

‘Les Bleus’ now sit top of Group D, which also contains Denmark and Tunisia, who had played out a goalless draw earlier in the day. Didier Deschamps’ side take on Denmark in their next game on Saturday (17:00 CET).

The Foals’ next involvement in the World Cup will be this Wednesday, as Jonas Hofmann and Ko Itakura represent Germany and Japan respectively, as they face each other at 14:00 CET.

Gladbach's statement on the World Cup