The defending champions were stunned by the early goal of the "Socceroos" (9th) and the injury exit of Lucas Hernandez, Rabiot brought order to the blue house in less than five minutes, with a furious equalizer (27th ) and a liberating offering for Olivier Giroud (32nd), who thanked him with a kiss.

The N.14 was not necessarily the one on which the spotlight had turned, all monopolized as they are by the jewel Kylian Mbappé (scorer from 3-1 to the 68th).

But it is from the middle of Juve that the light has (re) come.

The former "Titi" of Paris SG, stabilizing element of the blue midfield, however, likes to stay in the shadows more, at least when he is not on the football pitch, where he has excelled in recent weeks.

"If my image is blurred, it's because I want it, I don't spread out a lot, I don't show myself so much off the field," he confessed at a press conference on Friday, when asked about the opinion that the French have of him.

The 27-year-old has long dragged his painful divorce with PSG in 2019 after ten years together, and especially his refusal to be a reservist during the World Cup in Russia, won four years ago. by his compatriots.

"Lead by example"

His image?

"It will certainly change if the competition goes well," he slipped mischievously to the media in Doha.

"When things are going well, everyone has a good image, everyone is strong. But I'm not focused on that," he added.

Midfielder Adrien Rabiot, head scorer for France against Australia, at the World Cup on November 22, 2022 in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha FRANCK FIFE AFP

The "Duke" was excluded for more than two years from the lists of Didier Deschamps.

But he remembered the good memories of the coach thanks to his successful performances in Turin.

Recalled in August 2020, he has not missed the call since and collected the selections, until his 30th cap on Tuesday.

The statistics speak for themselves: since his international comeback, Rabiot has started 20 times in the 24 matches he has played.

The slender left-hander snuck into a French midfield too often orphaned by Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kanté, with more fragile bodies and still forced to forfeit for this World Cup.

Without them, the Bianconero acts as a framework, in particular with his partner Aurélien Tchouaméni (22 years old).

"As a youngster, I was often more experienced than my partners. Today, we find that a bit. It's a position that I like, of course. I feel able to lead by example, I love this position," he admitted on Friday.

And to insist: "These are great responsibilities in a competition like this, but I am ready to assume them".

After the first few minutes a bit sluggish, Tuesday, Rabiot put the turbo and reversed a situation that was badly embarked on for the Blues.

He raked in trailing balls, stabilized the middle block and, above all, was decisive in the truth area.

First there is this precious goal, his third since his debut in 2016, when he received a cross from Theo Hernandez (27th), which he celebrated with his mouth open, harangue and his fist angry.

Then there is this chase from the right side Nathaniel Atkinson, a pressing that allows Mbappé to recover the ball and give it back with a subtle heel.

Center in decisive withdrawal for Giroud who, by way of thanks, kisses him on the head.

Not living the 2018 World Cup, "it was a big disappointment", he said last week.

"I don't take it as revenge, I'm grateful for everything that has happened since my return, I take it as a chance".

He grabbed it.

© 2022 AFP