FAI: Report | Ireland 0-1 France - Collins denied late leveller

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Ireland was denied in the latter stages of the contest as efforts from James McClean, Alan Browne and Nathan Collins were all denied by French keeper Mike Maignan.
Stephen Kenny made six changes from the side that defeated Estonia last week with France making three changes from their victory against the Netherlands.
The first sight of a goal fell to the visitors when a long ball from Griezmann found Kolo Muani’s run and despite getting past Bazunu his angle was too tight to take a shot on goal.
The French defence blocked Jason Knight's set piece and Josh Cullen's second free kick into the French penalty area. Bazunu was forced into a smart save following a Griezmann corner that was headed goalward by Giroud that Cullen attempted to head clear, Bazunu was brave to dive low to his right to stop the ball from falling into the path of Mbappé.
Hernández took a shot from outside the Irish area with his effort taking a deflection that forced it wide. Pavard’s first-time cross found Griezmann at the near post but his header struck the side netting.
Before half-time, Ireland had several chances from set pieces, the best of which came when Josh Cullen's delivery was headed goalward by Egan. O'Shea then received the ball, but his shot towards the goal was stopped.
France opened the scoring early in the second half as Rabiot played a pass from the left wing to the edge of the area that gave Cullen the ball. But, Pavard pounced on his forward pass and unleashed an unstoppable strike into the goal via the underside of the bar.
Jason Knight broke free of the French defence and he tried to latch onto a Coleman pass but it was just overhit and was easily collected by Maignan. As Diaby gained space on the right side of the Irish area, Bazunu made a superb save to deny his low curling attempt.
He was to make another fantastic save from long range as Rabiot found space outside the Irish area and struck a low effort that Bazunu did excellently to stop.
Molumby had a goalbound shot blocked for a corner following some excellent work by Ogbene to set up the attempt. This was followed by an effort by James McClean to be tipped wide by Maignan as the Irish wingers' low effort forced him into a save.
Ireland continued to press with Alan Browne's strike from distance going wide of Maignan’s far post.
Ireland had two excellent chances to score from two corners as Alan Browne forced Maignan to make a finger-tip save to deny the Irish midfielder.
On the subsequent corner, Collins' header at the back post was pushed away by the French goalkeeper to ensure the French victory.
Republic of Ireland: Bazunu (GK), Coleman ©, O'Shea (Browne 78), Egan, Cullen, Doherty (McClean 77), N. Collins, Molumby (Obafemi 85), Knight (Johnston 77), Ferguson (Idah 64), Ogbene.
Subs not used: Kelleher (GK), Travers (GK), Omobamidele, Hendrick, Sykes, McGrath, Smallbone.
France: Maignan (GK), Pavard (Koundé 81), Upamecano, Griezmann, Giroud (Diaby 64), Mbappé ©, Kolo Muani (M. Thuram 90), Konaté, Rabiot (Tchouameni 81), Camavinga, T. Hernández.
Subs not used: Samba (GK), Areola (GK), Disasi, Fofana, Veretout, Todibo, K. Thuram, Coman.
Booked: Pavard (France), Molumby (Republic of Ireland), Egan (Republic of Ireland)
Sent Off: None
Player of the Match: Chiedozie Ogbene.
Attendance: 50,219
Referee: Artur Dias (POR)



Ireland Category:
Senior Men


Choose Site:
Ireland


Match Preview / Report:
Match Report


Match ID:
Republic of Ireland - France | 2024 - UEFA European Qualifiers | 2036316


Introduction:
The Republic of Ireland succumbed to an early second-half strike by Benjamin Pavard to give France three points in the first qualification match for Euro 2024.




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