Martin O’Neill offered congratulations and made to leave but Didier Deschamps did not let go. The France coach had predicted a fight to the last eight and, while others cavorted around the technical area, he held his beaten opponent’s hand with the respect the Republic of Ireland deserved. The host nation faced a test of nerve, ability and managerial vision under extreme pressure, yet endured all the same.
For one script-tearing half, Ireland held a worthy lead and France faced the ignominy of elimination from their own tournament. “We were not only winning well at half-time but feeling we could win the match,” O’Neill said.
Robbie Brady’s third-minute penalty and a performance that gave Les Bleus’ defence its first genuine ordeal of the European Championship put Ireland in dreamland. A second win at a major tournament for the first time in the country’s history was a prospect and not just an aspiration but then came the response. And what a response.
Deschamps introduced Kingsley Coman for N’Golo Kanté, speed for protection, and switched from a three-man central midfield to 4-2-3-1 with Antoine Griezmann occupying the No10 role. France were devastating while Ireland’s defence disintegrated during an eight‑minute onslaught when Griezmann scored twice and might have had a third but for a professional foul by Shane Duffy. A straight red card for the Blackburn Rovers’ defender ended credible hope of a comeback but Ireland fought to the last. Deschamps’s prolonged handshake with O’Neill may have been laced with relief, too. England or Iceland await France in the quarter-finals at the Stade de France on Sunday. Monday night’s victor in Nice will know the hosts can be both vulnerable and irrepressible. They will also be without Kanté and Adil Rami through suspension.
O’Neill’s misgivings over a disproportionate ticket allocation, with Ireland officially given 4,604 tickets for the 59,000-capacity stadium, proved unfounded. His team were backed with passion throughout, as always. His fears over a lack of preparation time compared with France were justified. Ireland had booked their place in the last 16 on Wednesday, Deschamps’ team last Sunday, and a contrast in energy levels contributed to a one-sided second half.
“We definitely got the short straw in that respect,” the Ireland manager lamented. “We knew about it beforehand but three days is an incredible amount of time for one side to have an advantage over another.
That said, France are a fine team and good luck to them for the rest of the tournament. We put our heart and soul into the game, as has become a prerequisite for us, but we played too. Some of our young players have come of age on this stage and it is up to them now to take it forward.”
France had dominance in the stands but not where it mattered most during the first half. Their fans had only just completed a rousing rendition of La Marseillaise when they were silenced by the referee Nicola Rizzoli’s award of a penalty to Ireland. 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 France player had a meaningful touch.
Rami slipped as he attempted to clear Stephen Ward’s cross and with seismic consequences. Daryl Murphy’s shot on the turn deflected to Shane Long, who was sent sprawling by a clumsy challenge from Paul Pogba. 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, Brady, whose late header defeated Italy, converted 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 the glorious opening for Ireland. France’s defence impressed in the group stage when breached only by one Romanian penalty but was disturbed by the physicality of Murphy and the tireless movement of Long. Ireland’s No9 produced a remarkable shift, partnerin
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