Euro 2016: France 2-1 Republic of Ireland - Player ratings
Hosts France advanced to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Euro 2016 with a 2-1 win over the Republic of Ireland in their round-of-16 match in Lyon. Ireland were granted a very early penalty which was converted by Robbie Brady. But France grew into the game and eventually found their first goal through an Antoine Griezmann header. The Atletico Madrid man then scored again to give his side the lead as France dominated the second half. Ireland’s misery grew as they went down to 10-men when defender Shane Duffy brought down Antoine Griezmann at the edge of the Ireland box.
The win takes France into the quarterfinals where they will now face either England or Iceland. Here is how the players from both sides fared:
France
Hugo Lloris – 7/10
The Tottenham Hotspur shot-stopper did well to deny Ireland score another goal. He could not save the penalty and dived the other side. But as the game progressed he made crucial interceptions.
Bacary Sagna – 6/10
The Manchester City right-back did not produce much in the first-half. But he was effective in the second half with his crosses into the box. He was troubled by McClean as the Irishman got a few crosses into the box but assisted Greizmann in scoring the equalizer with his fine cross.
Adil Rami – 5/10
The Sevilla defender had a poor game and was troubled by the likes of Shane Long and Jon Walters as the game entered the climax. He looked under pressure from the start. He earned himself a yellow card, meaning he will miss the quarterfinal.
Laurent Koscielny – 6/10
The Arsenal man was not his typical self. He was also very shaky in defence but made a few key interceptions. He did not stamp his authority at the back which was a worrying factor for his side.
Patrice Evra – 6/10
The experienced left-back was very quiet throughout the game. He did not get forward as much as his team would have liked. But defensively, he was up to the task.
N’Golo Kante – 6/10
The Leicester City midfielder only played the first half as he was sacrificed in order to get the equaliser. He made several tackles, broke up the play and ran forward with the ball when he was on the pitch.
Blaise Matuidi – 6/10
The PSG man played well throughout the game and did not let the Irish dominate in the midfield. He moved into attack swiftly and helped his side keep possession and put pressure on the opposition.
Paul Pogba – 7/10
The Juventus man was very bright throughout the game. He started the game by giving away the controversial penalty but made up for it with his performance. The youngster helped Payet and Griezmann get space to run into.
Antoine Griezmann – 9/10
The Atletico Madrid forward was the man of the match. He scored both the goals for France, one with a header and the second with a calm finish. He could have had his hat-trick as he had several more attempts at the Irish goal.
Dimitri Payet – 7/10
France’s best player in the group stages was off color in the first half as he did not see much of possession. But he started the second half brightly and helped his side in piling pressure on the Irish.
Olivier Giroud – 6/10
The Arsenal man was pedestrian in the first half as his teammates failed to get the ball to him. But he got more involved in the second half and produced a fine knock down for Griezmann, which helped France get the lead.
Substitutes
Kinsley Coman – 8/10
The youngster was brought on in place of N’Golo Kante at half-time to help his side. He brought back life into the French side and was very sharp. Coman helped his side in turning around a one-goal deficit.
Andre-Pierre Gignac – 7/10
The forward replaced Olivier Giroud in the 73rd minute and looked very energetic. He had several attempts at goal and struck the crossbar once.
Moussa Sissoko – NA
He was brought on to eat up time in the second half added time.