A screamer from Benjamin Pavard saw France claim a resilient 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland in Euro 2024 qualifying on Monday night.
The Irish beat Latvia 3-2 in a recent friendly but couldn’t force an equaliser against the French as their bid to reach a first European Championship since 2016 started with defeat at the Aviva Stadium.
It’s two wins from two games for new captain Kylian Mbappe and France, who have taken an early grip on Group B.
Randal Kolo Muani, who has scored 11 Bundesliga goals for Eintracht Frankfurt this season, rounded Gavin Bazunu early on and found Olivier Giroud, but the veteran striker was quickly surrounded by Irish defenders who eventually cleared to safety.
It was a story of slow build-up from France against the stoic work ethic of the Boys in Green, and the hosts kept the World Cup finalists comfortably at bay in the opening stages. Pavard’s yellow card midway through the first half was the first blatant sign of Les Bleus’ growing frustration.
Ireland showed sparks of attacking threat, with Josh Cullen delivering some dangerous crosses and Chiedozie Ogbene’s determination earning applause from the crowd.
However, while the hosts stunted France’s passing pattern, they could only manage one shot in the first half and a thunderbolt early in the second period saw Didier Deschamps’ side take the lead.
Cullen couldn’t clear his lines effectively and Pavard picked up possession and struck a fearsome effort from the edge of the box which fizzed past Bazunu into the roof of the net.
It was a lead scarcely deserved for Les Bleus but they started to look more authoritative on the ball after going 1-0 up and Bazunu was needed to prevent substitute Moussa Diaby curling into the far corner.
The Southampton stopper was soon called into action again, keeping out a sharp drive from Adrien Rabiot, before manager Stephen Kenny rang the changes for the final 15 minutes.
Ireland managed some strong periods of pressure late on and it was almost siege-like when Nathan Collins saw his header from a corner remarkably clawed away from safety by the impressive Mike Maignan. That was the final major chance before the full-time whistle.
A second win in qualifying puts France three points clear at the top of Group B, with Ireland in fourth above Gibraltar on goal difference.
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