Les Bleus had a quiet first half, with Pogba's free-kick easily held by Mathew Ryan in the fifth minute, but the game sprung into life after the break. A slide-rule pass by the Manchester United midfielder rolled towards Antoine Griezmann, only for Joshua Risdon to make a desperate tackle.
Play continued but referee Andres Cunha decided to consult VAR and, after some deliberation, pointed to the spot. Ignoring the Socceroo's protests, Griezmann stepped up to slam the penalty past Ryan.
Samuel Umtiti's careless handball quickly offered Australia a route back into the game, calmly accepted by Mile Jedinak, who placed the spot-kick past Hugo Lloris.