sport news Socceroos greats slam Australia's tactics after heavy defeat to France at FIFA ... trends now

Australia's strategy and lack of grit in their humbling opening defeat by France at the World Cup have been criticised by Socceroos legends, who claim the Aussies 'weren't in the game' after scoring first.

The Socceroos took a shock early lead through Craig Goodwin's brilliant finish and had the reigning champions on the back foot for much of the opening 20 minutes.

Les Bleus' class, however, eventually shone through as Adrien Rabiot and Olivier Giroud turned the game around completely within four minutes, while Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann terrorised the Aussie defence.

Mbappe added another after the break, before Giroud completed his double against an Aussie defensive line that looked fragile at best.

Australia struggled to keep possession throughout the match and put pressure on themselves with silly mistakes. 

At the halftime break Socceroos goalkeeping great Mark Bosnich branded the French goals as 'completely avoidable'.

Socceroos legend Harry Kewell was scathing of the team's decision not to pressure their opponents once they had shocked them with that early goal.

'I just think if we had got them on the back foot, got the back line of France turning, we could have just caused them a little bit more trouble,' he said.

'And it has turned out to be such an easy game for France.'