FAI: Report | France 2-0 Ireland - Defeat in Paris

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Chiedozie Ogbene has the best chance of the match for Ireland being denied by Maignan while Festy Ebosele making his Senior Irish International.
Stephen Kenny made five changes ahead of the visit to the Parc des Princes with Ogbene, Duffy, Stevens, Browne & Knight coming into Stephen Kenny’s starting line-up.
Ireland earned a free kick direct from the kickoff with Stevens’ delivery being cleared while moments later Rabiot had the first shot on target for France after his left-footed effort was well saved by Bazunu.
John Egan was called into action seconds later to block down Giroud’s effort for a corner. Ireland had a series of attacking phases with Ogbene breaking down the left with his cross into the French area taken well by Maignan despite being under pressure.
Bazunu was forced to make an excellent reaction save from Griezmann’s free kick with the secondary ball cleared. Ogbene made another superb run down the wing with his cross blocked down and Maignan on hand to gather the deflected pass.
France was to take the lead as Tchouameni latched onto a deft pass from Killian Mbappé on the edge of the area with his curling effort beating Bazunu at his far post. Bazunu was called into action to deny Mbappé’s curling effort at the edge of the area with the Irish netminder saving comfortably.
Mbappé was to have the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled out for offside. Ireland had a chance to test the French defence with an Alan Browne free kick but it was cleared while in the following French attack Shane Duffy was excellent in clearing Koundé’s cross.
France doubled their lead in the opening minutes of the second half, following some clever build-up play from Griezmann a cross from Hernández was initially blocked but only to Marcus Thuram who slotted the ball past Bazunu.
Ireland went close to pulling a goal back following an excellent breaking run from Idah who fed the ball to McClean to cross with Ogbene’s header being excellently saved by Maignan. Ogbene was to go close again with his curling effort going over the French bar.
Mbappé went close to adding a third for France with Hernández’s cross just evading his final touch. He once again found himself one one-on-one with Bazunu with a curling effort but he was found to be in an offside position.
Bazunu was forced to make an excellent save following an effort from Tchouameni from outside the area with Bazunu pushing it wide. Dembélé was to strike the post following an effort from the right with Griezmann next to have a sight on goal in the next phase of play only for an excellent tackle from Cullen to deny him.
Ireland had an eye on goal in the final stages with Shane Duffy heading goalwards from a McClean free-kick but it was well saved by Maignan. France almost added a third when a cross from Hernández was met by Thuram at the back post but he headed it wide.
Shane Duffy once again held firm defensively to deny Mbappé blocking his curling effort for a corner.
France: Maignan (GK), Upamecano, Koundé (Pavard 88), Griezmann (Camavinga 88), Tchouameni, Giroud (M. Thuram 26), Mbappé ©, Dembélé (Coman 73), Rabiot, L. Hernández (Saliba 73), T. Hernández.
Subs not used: Samba (GK), Areola (GK), Disasi, Kolo Muani, Todibo, Fofana, Kamara.
Republic of Ireland: Bazunu, Stevens (McClean 46), Duffy, Egan, Cullen, Browne, Idah (Keane 67) (Connolly 78), N. Collins, Molumby (O'Shea 67), Knight, Ogbene (Ebosele 84)
Subs not used: Kelleher (GK), Travers (GK), Smallbone, Hendrick, McGrath, Lenihan, Manning
Player of the Match: Chiedozie Ogbene
Referee: Urs Schnyder (SUI)



Ireland Category:
Senior Men


Choose Site:
Ireland


Match Preview / Report:
Match Report


Match ID:
France 2 - 0 Republic of Ireland | 2024 - UEFA European Qualifiers | 2036384


Introduction:
The Republic of Ireland were defeated by France following goals from Tchouameni and Thuram put the French on course to the three points in Paris.




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