France boss Didier Deschamps was upbeat after Les Bleus edged a 2-1 win over Australia in the World Cup opener on Saturday, but insisted that his side must improve as the tournament progresses.
Saturday, June 16, 2018
FIFA World Cup Group C, Matchday 1
Kazan, Russia
France 2 - 1 Australia 
Didier Deschamps (France coach): "We got the job done. It was the first match and it's always very important to get a win. It puts us in the best possible place heading into the rest of our matches. The match was tough, complicated. We lacked a fair bit of pace in how we moved the ball around and how we got forward when we pinched it, and this played into Australia's hands. Australia aren't a big European team, but nor are they exactly what you think they are. It's complicated… it's the World Cup. But we have to do better, and we're capable of doing so."
Bert van Marwijk (Australia coach): "I'm proud and disappointed. We gave a very good performance. Nobody expected that we could play like this against France. I think there were a lot of moments they didn't know what to do anymore. The players of France, they said it themselves. So that's a big compliment for us. When you see this game you must have confidence for the rest of the tournament, that's normal."
