Zimpapers Logo

DIDIER Deschamps was reluctant to release Martin O’Neill’s grip when the two managers shook hands on the final whistle. He had predicted France would face a battle with a Republic of Ireland side who “will fight all the way for each other” and they endured a test of their physical and mental reserves in the last 16. But they endured all the same.

The hosts advanced into a possible quarter-final date with England after Martin O’Neill’s team succumbed to an impressive second-half revival in Lyon.

Ireland led from a first-minute Robbie Brady penalty and France stared at the ignominy of an early expulsion from their own tournament as their nerve deserted them in the opening half. But a tactical switch from Deschamps at the break proved decisive and Ireland’s defensive resilience evaporated in the face of a second-half onslaught. Antoine Greizmann supplied two clinical finishes to take France into the last eight and should have departed with a hat-trick. Shane Duffy’s dismissal moments after Griezmann’s second-half double gave Ireland too great a burden to overcome.

France had dominance in the stands but not where it mattered most in the first half. Their overwhelming support had only just completed a rousing rendition of Les Marseillais when they were stunned into silence by referee Nicola Rizzoli’s award of a penalty to Ireland in the first minute. O’Neill’s team, unchanged from the win over Italy that secured the country’s first qualification from a group at the Euros, were ahead before a French player had a meaningful touch.

The men in white kept possession from a retaken kick off and immediately rattled Deschamps’ defence when Stephen Ward swept over a cross from the left. Adil Rami slipped as he attempted to clear and with seismic consequences. Daryl Murphy’s shot on the turn was deflected into the path of Shane Long who was sent sprawling by a clumsy challenge from Paul Pogba as he seized on the loose ball. Long may have anticipated contact but it was a foolish and clear foul. In front of the only section of the stadium awash with green, Robbie Brady, whose late header defeated the Italians, started Ireland’s party early with a clinical penalty. Hugo Lloris went right, the ball went to his left and kissed the inside of the post en route to the back of his net.

There were added benefits to a glorious opening for Ireland. France’s defence impressed in the group stage when they were breached by only one Romanian penalty over three matches. But it was vulnerable to the physicality of Murphy and the tireless movement of Long. Ireland’s number nine produced a remarkable shift, partnering Murphy in attack whenever his team had possession and dropping to the right of a compact midfield diamond the moment it was lost.

Deschamps and his captain, Lloris, had used the word “battle” repeatedly in their pre-match press conference but their warnings went unheeded throughout the first half. The host nation were unnerved by Ireland’s early lead and aggressive pressing, Dimitri Payet and Pogba particularly, and their loss of composure disturbed the entire team before the interval.

Only in the closing moments when Ward and Duffy threw themselves in front of goalbound shots from Payet and Griezmann respectively did they come close to breaking Ireland’s resistance. Darren Randolph was also in fine form and saved well from a Pogba free-kick from 30 yards. A booking for N’Golo Kanté added to their problems with the Leicester City midfielder now suspended for the quarter-finals.

There were boos for Pogba when the struggling Juventus midfielder lost possession once again and for the team when the half-time whistle sounded. Deschamps reacted by introducing Kingsley Coman for Kanté and switching to a 4-2-3-1. There would be no complaints over France’s devastating second-half transformation. Les Bleus were quicker, more incisive and direct as soon as the game recommenced. Ireland were carved open and sent home in the blur of an eight-minute blitz.

Blaise Matuidi had already tested Randolph before France drew level with an intelligent team goal. Griezmann found Payet on the edge of the penalty area, the West Ham favourite released Bacary Sagna down the right and when his excellent cross arrived into a crowded box there was Griezmann to head beyond the Ireland goalkeeper with a replica of his goal against Albania. The Atlético Madrid forward was unmarked despite the presence of four white shirts and more poor decision-making in the Ireland defence enabled France to take the lead three minutes later.

Olivier Giroud did well to beat Richard Keogh in the air as they challenged for Rami’s long ball. Keogh’s central defensive colleague Duffy, however, left his post to track Giroud and when the Arsenal forward headed inside Griezmann was able to run clear through the chasm in the Irish defence and beat Randolph with a precise finish.

Giroud and Griezmann repeated the routine moments later. Again O’Neill’s central defence was found wanting and, in his desperation to make amends, Duffy sent Griezmann flying just outside the area with a professional foul. Rizzoli reached for a straight red card and Ireland’s self-destruction was complete.

Griezmann should have completed his hat-trick from Payet’s through ball in stoppage time but was denied by Randolph, while substitute André-Pierre Gignac also missed three good chances to have made France’s victory more emphatic. — The Guardian