World Cup 2022: Olivier Giroud now has as many France goals as Thierry Henry, the all-time record holder

Olivier Giroud now has as many France goals as Thierry Henry, the all-time record holder: Olivier Giroud of France celebrates after scoring their team's fourth goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group D match between France and Australia at Al Janoub Stadium on November 22, 2022 in Al Wakrah, Qatar.
(Image credit: Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Olivier Giroud has equalled Thierry Henry's all-time scoring record for France at World Cup 2022. 

The AC Milan striker was two goals behind the Arsenal legend, who netted 51 goals in 14 years for the national team. Giroud didn't net at all at the 2018 World Cup when he lifted the trophy as Les Bleus' focal point – but has profited, in part, from Karim Benzema's long exodus from the national side from 2014 to 2020. 

Even more remarkably for the perma-coiffed Giroud, he made his senior international debut at the age of 25. Compare that to Titi, who was his nation's top scorer on home soil at France '98, at the age of just 20. 

France initially went one down to Australia, too, when Craig Goodwin, who's only been capped 10 times by the Socceroos, wasted no time in capitalising on the holders' injury problems to score a stunning opening goal

More woe followed for head coach Didier Deschamps, as Lucas Hernandez hit the deck despite not connecting with an opponent, looking to have twisted his knee. Bayern Munich star Hernandez was replaced by his brother Theo, who plays for AC Milan, in an early change. The injury will come as a crushing blow to Deschamps, who is already missing a number of key stars. 

Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry scored two goals against Lithuania in 2007 to break Michel Platini's record of 41 goals in a France shirt (Image credit: Getty)

The lead didn't last long, however. Adrian Rabiot dragged the French back into the game before Olivier Giroud put them ahead before half-time. Kylian Mbappe laughed off missing from seven yards out to net the holders' third before Giroud scored his 51st goal in that famous blue.

Thierry Henry is at the World Cup himself, continuing his journey as a coach in the Belgian set-up. The Red Devils – who have had to remove the word "love" from their shirt – take to the tournament against Canada tomorrow.

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.

Read more
France women Olympics 2024 squad Wendie Renard #3 of France looks on during the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 qualifying match between France and England at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on June 4, 2024 in Saint-Etienne, France.(Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
France Women Euro 2025 squad: Laurent Bonadei's team in full
Hugo Lloris lifts the World Cup trophy as France celebrate their win over Croatia in the final in Moscow in july 2018.
Didier Deschamps announces France exit, with World Cup 2026 on the horizon
Didier Drogba celebrates Chelsea's Premier League title win in May 2010 after an 8-0 win over Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge.
Players who scored back-to-back hat-tricks
Michael Olise at the Paris Olympics, with Thierry Henry inset
'We have a similar understanding of football and he was interested in how I saw things. He's a legend - it was the best football experience in my life' Michael Olise opens up on the influence of Thierry Henry
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 31: Beth Mead of England poses for a photograph with the Top Goalscorer and Player of the Tournament awards after the final whistle of the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 final match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium on July 31, 2022 in London, England.
Euro 2025: The all-time Women’s Euros top scorers as Beth Mead eyes record haul
Bukayo Saka celebrates with Harry Kane after scoring for England against North Macedonia in June 2023.
Players who scored hat-tricks for England
Latest in Stories
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
The current logo used for the Premier League
Surprise sponsor 'in talks' with the Premier League over multi-million pound deal: report
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho could still leave the club this month
'Alejandro Garnacho has let his family down. He might be immature but he is not young anymore, it's a massive disappointment that he is not performing - he just seems like a Ronaldo fanboy' Ex Manchester United star launches astonishing rant at winger
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
'I was brainwashed by Guardiola, but in a good way. It was like I was at university': Ex-Manchester City star reveals genius of Pep
 Sheila Garcia of Real Madrid CF battle for the ball with Alessia Russo of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Women's Champions League Quarter Finals First Leg match between Real Madrid CF and Arsenal FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on March 18, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.
'Over two legs I expected Arsenal to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League, I still think they can despite being 2-0 down,' says former Lioness Izzy Christiansen
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Why Trent Alexander-Arnold won't be allowed to wear No.66 at Real Madrid as transfer edges closer
Latest in Features
 Sheila Garcia of Real Madrid CF battle for the ball with Alessia Russo of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Women's Champions League Quarter Finals First Leg match between Real Madrid CF and Arsenal FC at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on March 18, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.
'Over two legs I expected Arsenal to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League, I still think they can despite being 2-0 down,' says former Lioness Izzy Christiansen
Luiz Diaz of Colombia celebrates with James Rodriguez of Colombia after scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers match between Brazil and Colombia at Arena BRB Mane Garrincha.
How to watch Colombia vs Paraguay: Live streams for World Cup qualifier
Uruguay's Argentine head coach Marcelo Bielsa (R) gives instructions during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Uruguay and Argentina at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo, on March 21, 2025.
How to watch Bolivia vs Uruguay: Live streams for Conmebol World Cup qualifying
BRASILIA, BRAZIL - MARCH 20, 2025: Vinicius Junior of Brazil in action during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers match between Brazil and Colombia at Arena BRB Mane Garrincha.
How to watch Argentina vs Brazil: Live streams for blockbuster World Cup qualifier
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield on March 08, 2025 in Liverpool, England.
Quiz! Can you name FourFourTwo's greatest Premier League players ever?
Moisés Caicedo of Ecuador and teammates celebrates after winning the South American FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Ecuador and Venezuela at Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium on March 21, 2025 in Quito, Ecuador.
How to watch Chile vs Ecuador: Live streams for World Cup qualifier