Ireland start their Euro 2024 qualification campaign against France.
The Republic of Ireland take on France on Monday night in their opening Uefa Euro 2024 qualifier. You can follow the match live in our hub below, where we will have updates about team news, big talking points and player ratings.
Click on the key point you want to read about, or just keep scrolling to see updates in our live hub.
Gavin Bazunu – 7
The Southampton goalkeeper couldn’t do anything to prevent Pavard’s strike and pulled off a couple of decent saves in the second half.
Nathan Collins – 7.5
The Wolves defender was strong in defence and looked comfortable carrying the ball out of defence. Giroud barely got a kick in the game, and Collins played his part in keeping the striker quiet. He almost rescued a point with a brilliant header in the final minute.
John Egan – 7.5
Egan returned to the back three and brought experience and calmness to the defence. The Sheffield United defender didn’t misplace a pass in the first half, was dominant in the air and got his body in front of French shots on goal, making several blocks.
Dara O’Shea – 6
The West Brom defender worked hard and helped keep France’s attack (mostly) quiet. His long balls forward weren’t always accurate, however, and he arguably should’ve got closer to prevent Pavard’s shot.
The French defender’s strike was excellent, but O’Shea may be disappointed that he turned his back on the shot. Yet, the crucial mistake happened before he was involved in the play. He also redeemed himself with a late tackle to prevent a shot on Ireland’s goal.
Seamus Coleman – 7
The Ireland captain returned to the team to earn his 68th cap after proving his fitness for the match. Coleman’s experience was undoubtedly considered a massive asset by Kenny, although he looked a little rusty with his passing in the first half.
The Everton skipper, however, coped well with the considerable French threat.
Matt Doherty – 6
Doherty moved to left wing-back to accommodate Coleman. At times he looked a little uncomfortable collecting the ball on his left foot, but he also helped Ireland get up the patch with his forward runs. This was never going to be a game, however, where he could display his attacking skills.
Josh Cullen – 5
Cullen has become Ireland’s most important midfielder, the one who sets the tempo for the team with his passing and work off the ball.
However, he also showed the dangers of attempting to play football in the wrong places. The Burnley midfielder collected a loose pass outside the ball and attempted to play a square ball to Knight.
Even without the benefit of hindsight, it wasn’t the right pass to play against such strong opposition. Pavard intercepted the ball and hammered it past Bazunu to open the scoring.
Cullen and Ireland were given a cruel reminder of the levels they are playing at, where even one misplaced pass can undo a whole game’s worth of hard work.
Jayson Molumby – 8
Molumby crunched into tackles and never shied away from collecting possession. While he didn’t play any defence-splitting passes, the West Brom midfielder kept play ticking over and was efficient in possession. He also worked extremely hard and wasn’t intimidated by the France team.
Jason Knight – 6
Knight played on the left side of a forward three and he started the game brightly, helping to start the Ireland press. It could be argued that the Derby County midfielder would be better used in central midfield, where Ireland were outnumbered, and he also arguably lacks the pace to play wide left in a forward three.
Chiedozie Ogbene – 8
Ogbene’s cameo against Latvia, where he came off the bench to score and looked dangerous in the final third, appeared to earn him a start tonight ahead of Michael Obafemi. And the winger didn’t let his manager down.
Ogbene created something from nothing throughout the game, scrapping with Hernandez for 50/50 balls and winning his side free-kicks and corners.
He misplaced a few passes but helped his team get up the pitch and relieve pressure. He has a wonderful ability to be fouled and win a set-piece in the final third.
Evan Ferguson – 6
When the teams were announced ahead of kick-off, the biggest cheer came when Ferguson’s name was read out. And it is easy to understand why.
The Brighton striker appears to be the first Ireland player since Robbie Keane or Damien Duff with the potential to reach an elite level.
However, unlike Keane or Duff, he doesn’t have top-class players in the Ireland team capable of consistently finding him.
Ferguson did nothing wrong, and showed his ability to lead the line in his battles with the French defence. Yet, Ireland could not bring Ferguson into the game enough for him to be a threat to the visitors. He was substituted after 65 minutes for Idah.
Substitutes
Adam Idah – 5
The Norwich striker was barely involved.
James McClean – 6
Broke forward well at one point and took a shot at France’s goal.
Alan Browne – 5
One speculative shot aside, he was rarely involved.
Mikey Johnston – 6
A tidy player, comfortable running at the opposition.
Michael Obafemi – N/A.
Related links.
- Stephen Kenny could be without Seamus Coleman against France
- Expectation soars as Evan Ferguson captures Irish footballing imagination
- Ireland vs Latvia: Player ratings as Evan Ferguson scores in 3-2 win
- Three players who shone for Ireland in another unconvincing performance
- Antoine Griezmann ‘hurt’ after Kylian Mbappé awarded France captaincy
