- Andy Harte
- Tue, Mar 28 2023
Another goal conceded by Ireland from outside the box was enough for France but keeping Kylian Mbappe quiet is something Stephen Kenny’s men can build upon.
A full house and a big atmosphere filled the Aviva Stadium as the Republic of Ireland began their Euro 2024 Qualifying campaign against World Cup finalists France on Monday night.
Didier Deschamps star-studded side rolled into Dublin after thrashing the Netherlands 4-0 on Friday in what was their first game since the Qatar final in December.
Ireland came into this tough fixture on the back of a 3-2 win against Latvia in a Friendly on Wednesday but it was clear they were up for this competitive one from the get-go.
Competitive fixture has been the words frequently uttered by Ireland fans over the last number of years including some less than welcome whispers regarding Evan Ferguson’s national future.
The Brighton man led the line tonight in his first competitive start and looked as natural as we have become used to seeing in the Premier League.
It was his partner up-front however, Chiedozie Ogbene, who set the tone from minute one using his strength to win a free-kick against Kylian Mbappe. This was a sign of things to come from Ogbene who ran himself into the ground tonight.
It took until the 6th minute for France to really start showing their muscles with Frankfurt winger, Randal Kolo Muani slipping in behind Seamus Coleman only for Nathan Collins to clear his lines.
Collins clearing would be a theme for the night with the Wolves centre-back putting himself around in his own and the opposition's box.
On the left hand side, a loud hush descended over the stadium everytime Mbappe got the ball as the PSG man tried to get himself and his team up and running. The newly appointed France captain came into this game after scoring two goals on Friday night in Paris.
It was the France captaincy that had people talking during the week with reports that long serving, Antoine Griezmann was disappointed not to get the job. If that was the case, it certainly didn’t show tonight as the Atletico Madrid man put in his usual creative and tire-less performance.
Lung-busting displays were very much on the menu tonight and this was especially evident in Ireland’s Jayson Molumby. The West-Brom midfielder threw himself into every tackle and his particular one on Adrien Rabiot in the 20th minute drew a great reaction from the crowd.
The noise from the stadium gave Ireland a clear lift and on the opposite side to where most of the French action was taking place, it was the turn of tonight’s left-wing back and team-mate of Griezmann, Matt Doherty to try his luck.
Doherty took on two players down his wing and done brilliantly to win a corner coming up to half-time. Before the break, Ireland had three corners but couldn’t capitalise on the first bit of sustained pressure from Stephen Kenny’s side.
Kenny would have been happy going into half-time level however within five minutes of the second 45, his team found themselves one goal down from a very familiar position on the pitch.
Since the start of 2021, Ireland have conceded the highest amount of goals from outside the box in Europe and after a loose pass from Josh Cullen, it was Benjamin Pavard who added on to the stat.
The Bayern Munich full-back came onto the previously mentioned misplaced pass and hit a sweet strike that flew past Bazunu and off the cross-bar to give France the lead.
Momentum certainly felt like it swayed towards Deschamps men with substitute Moussa Diaby forcing a good save from the Southampton stopper in the 70th minute before Ireland brought on three subs of their own.
A triple change that seen James McClean, Mikey Johnston and Alan Browne come on seemed to light a spark in the Ireland team who had also brought on the returning Adam Idah for Evan Ferguson a few minutes previous.
Starting from where he left off on Wednseday night, Celtic winger, Mikey Johnston took on three France players and once again had the Aviva on their feet. Ireland stalwart McClean also brought his usual passion and eagerness to get his team into the right areas.
It was McClean who forced a save from Mike Maignan who was about to have his busiest period of the night in goals for France. The AC Milan stopper also denied another sub in Alan Browne from a great Cullen corner.
In an overall quiet night for Mbappe, the 24-year-old had a half chance in the 88th minute but could only put his outstretched shot over the bar. This was the only time France really had the ball anywhere near the goal for the last 5 minutes.
Although they kept possession very well, it was Ireland who looked the most like grabbing a goal for the equaliser. Michael Obafemi came on for Jayson Molumby and used his skill and presence to create some good things down the right.
A succession of corners lead up to the best chance of the night for Ireland. Nathan Collins and most of the stadium were convinced he had leveled proceedings only for Maignan to somehow clutch the ball away as it looked to be heading in the top left corner.
An absolute wonder save led to hands on the head for Collins and well deserved pats on the back from his team mates for Maignan after saving them from sharing the points.
Three minutes added on by the Portuguese referee didn’t go down well but this display certainly should. The final whistle was met with boos from the home fans however this was certainly not for the performance their team had put in.
A very positive night overall for Stephen Kenny with some great individual displays from Ogbene and Molumby as his side will look to build on this with a trip to Greece under the hot sun in June.
Republic of Ireland: Gavin Bazunu; Nathan Collins, John Egan, Dara O’Shea (Browne 78’), Seamus Coleman, Matt Doherty (McClean 78’), Josh Cullen, Jayson Molumby, (Obafemi 86’)Jason Knight (Johnston 78’), Chiedozie Ogbene, Evan Ferguson (Adam Idah, 66’).
Subs not used: Caoimhin Kelleher, Mark Travers;Andrew Obobamidele, Jeff Hendrick, Mark Sykes, Jamie McGrath, Will Smallbone
Booked: Molumby (77), Idah (88), Egan (90).
France: Mike Maignan; Benjamin Pavard (Kounde 81’), Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez, Eduardo Camavinga, Antoine Griezmann, Adrien Rabiot (Tchouameni 81’), Randal Kolo Muani (Thuram 91’), Olivier Giroud (Moussa Diaby, 65’), Kylian Mbappe.
Subs not used:Brice Samba, Alphonse Areola; Axel Disasi, Youssouf Fofan, Jordan Veretout, Jean-Clair Todibo, Khephren Thuram, Kingsley Coman
Booked: Pavard (23).
Referee: Artur Dias
Attendance: 50,219
Extratime.com Player of the Match: Jayson Molumby (Republic of Ireland).
