Abbas Miski proved to be the match-winner for Lebanon in a dramatic golden-point finish, scoring the decisive try to seal a thrilling 24-20 victory over France in their final group-stage match of the 2026 IRL Men’s Rugby League World Cup.
In a contest that went right down to the wire, Lebanon looked to have secured the win in the closing stages through an Alex Conti penalty. However, a spectacular long-range drop goal from Cesar Rouge in the dying seconds brought France level and sent the game into golden point.
France thought they had won it just two minutes into the extra period when Rouge found the posts with another drop goal, but the video referee ruled it out following an obstruction on a Lebanon defender in the build-up. A further attempt from Arthur Mourge went wide as both sides continued to search for the decisive score.
It was ultimately Miski who settled the contest five minutes into golden point, capitalising on a missed penalty attempt from halfway. After Mourge brought the ball out from his own in-goal area and attempted a chip-and-chase, Miski intercepted possession and raced away to score the match-winning try.
Heading into the contest, both sides knew their hopes of reaching the knockout stages were over following defeats in their opening two group matches. With pride at stake, the focus was on finishing their tournament campaign on a positive note, and Lebanon made the perfect start.
Lebanon took the lead after just three minutes, with Alex Conti crossing for the opening try following some neat attacking link-up play with Miski.
Both sides had opportunities to add to the score over the next twenty minutes, but a series of errors and knock-ons prevented either team from capitalising. France came close on two occasions as they searched for an equaliser but were unable to turn their chances into points.
Lebanon were then handed an opportunity to extend their advantage after 25 minutes when they were awarded a penalty, which Conti calmly converted to put his side eight points clear.
However, France responded just before half-time, being awarded a penalty try after a Lebanon player's foot prevented Amir Borough from grounding the ball in-goal.
Lebanon extended their advantage inside the opening ten minutes of the second half as Michael Gabrael grounded a well-weighted grubber kick through the French defensive line to score. France responded when Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet capitalised on a Lebanon error, racing away to score after possession was spilled 30 metres from the try line.
With 20 minutes remaining, Conti produced an excellent pass out wide to Tony Francis, who finished spectacularly in the corner with a diving effort to score Lebanon's third try and restore their advantage at 18-12.
Cesar Rouge then made the most of a Lebanon error from a kick, pouncing on the loose ball to score and bring France level with ten minutes remaining. A late penalty from Conti looked to have secured the victory for Lebanon, but France had other ideas.
With only seconds remaining, Rouge produced a remarkable two point drop goal from more than 40 metres out to level the scores and force golden point, setting up a dramatic finish in Sydney.
France initially thought they had won the contest through another Rouge drop goal, but the video referee intervened to rule it out for an obstruction in the build-up. Mourge then had another opportunity to win it, but his effort drifted wide before Lebanon finally found their moment.
Miski's interception and sprint to the try line brought the contest to a close, securing a memorable 24-20 golden-point victory and Lebanon's first win of the 2026 World Cup in their final group-stage fixture.
