Republic of Ireland
Greece
Gibraltar
Netherlands 2
France 2
Nigeria 0
Canada 2
Republic of Ireland 0 - 1 France
Report | Ireland 0-1 France - Collins denied late leveller
Ireland was denied in the latter stages of the contest as efforts from James McClean, Alan Browne and Nathan Collins were all denied by French keeper Mike Maignan.
Stephen Kenny made six changes from the side that defeated Estonia last week with France making three changes from their victory against the Netherlands.
The first sight of a goal fell to the visitors when a long ball from Griezmann found Kolo Muani’s run and despite getting past Bazunu his angle was too tight to take a shot on goal.
The French defence blocked Jason Knight's set piece and Josh Cullen's second free kick into the French penalty area. Bazunu was forced into a smart save following a Griezmann corner that was headed goalward by Giroud that Cullen attempted to head clear, Bazunu was brave to dive low to his right to stop the ball from falling into the path of Mbappé.
Hernández took a shot from outside the Irish area with his effort taking a deflection that forced it wide. Pavard’s first-time cross found Griezmann at the near post but his header struck the side netting.
Before half-time, Ireland had several chances from set pieces, the best of which came when Josh Cullen's delivery was headed goalward by Egan. O'Shea then received the ball, but his shot towards the goal was stopped.
France opened the scoring early in the second half as Rabiot played a pass from the left wing to the edge of the area that gave Cullen the ball. But, Pavard pounced on his forward pass and unleashed an unstoppable strike into the goal via the underside of the bar.
Jason Knight broke free of the French defence and he tried to latch onto a Coleman pass but it was just overhit and was easily collected by Maignan. As Diaby gained space on the right side of the Irish area, Bazunu made a superb save to deny his low curling attempt.
He was to make another fantastic save from long range as Rabiot found space outside the Irish area and struck a low effort that Bazunu did excellently to stop.
Molumby had a goalbound shot blocked for a corner following some excellent work by Ogbene to set up the attempt. This was followed by an effort by James McClean to be tipped wide by Maignan as the Irish wingers' low effort forced him into a save.
Ireland continued to press with Alan Browne's strike from distance going wide of Maignan’s far post.
Ireland had two excellent chances to score from two corners as Alan Browne forced Maignan to make a finger-tip save to deny the Irish midfielder.
On the subsequent corner, Collins' header at the back post was pushed away by the French goalkeeper to ensure the French victory.
Republic of Ireland: Bazunu (GK), Coleman ©, O'Shea (Browne 78), Egan, Cullen, Doherty (McClean 77), N. Collins, Molumby (Obafemi 85), Knight (Johnston 77), Ferguson (Idah 64), Ogbene.
Subs not used: Kelleher (GK), Travers (GK), Omobamidele, Hendrick, Sykes, McGrath, Smallbone.
France: Maignan (GK), Pavard (Koundé 81), Upamecano, Griezmann, Giroud (Diaby 64), Mbappé ©, Kolo Muani (M. Thuram 90), Konaté, Rabiot (Tchouameni 81), Camavinga, T. Hernández.
Subs not used: Samba (GK), Areola (GK), Disasi, Fofana, Veretout, Todibo, K. Thuram, Coman.
Booked: Pavard (France), Molumby (Republic of Ireland), Egan (Republic of Ireland)
Sent Off: None
Player of the Match: Chiedozie Ogbene.
Attendance: 50,219
Referee: Artur Dias (POR)
Match Preview | Republic of Ireland v France
Ireland are set to welcome France to the Aviva Stadium for the opening game of the campaign, with kick-off at 7.45pm as Ireland look to begin with an historic result against France.
Stephen Kenny's side come into the game on back of a 3-2 win over Latvia in midweek with goals from Callum O'Dowda, Evan Ferguson and Chiedozie Ogbene.
Match Details
Fixture: Republic of Ireland v France
Competition: UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying
Date: Monday, March 27
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Venue: Aviva Stadium
TV: RTE & ViaPlay
Match Officials
Referee: Artur Dias (POR)
Assistant Referee 1: Paulo Soares (POR)
Assistant Referee 2: Pedro Ribeiro (POR)
Fourth Official: Fabio Verissimo (POR)
Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Martins (POR)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Luis Godinho (POR)
Team News
Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has confirmed that captain Seamus Coleman is in contention for the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifier against France.
Coleman trained with the squad on Sunday, March 26 ahead of the France game and could be named in the match-day squad for the qualifier at the Aviva Stadium on Monday, March 27.
The Ireland manager also confirmed that Callum O'Dowda has suffered a groin strain which makes him a doubt for the France game so Kenny has called up Preston North End defender Robbie Brady for cover.
Finally, Kenny confirmed that Adam Idah is 'fully fit' for the France match and is in contention for a starting spot after coming through training ahead of the match.
What he said - Manager Stephen Kenny
On Seamus Coleman: “It's not so much his experience, it's that he's playing well himself at the moment. Experience is a factor, but his performances for Everton have been very good.
“For footballing reasons, he merits his place in the team because he has been playing very well for Everton and had an injury free run and been able to train regularly over the last number of months and performed very well for Everton."
On France: "We've been working on a way of playing for the last two years, very comfortable in possession, as comfortable as any team in Europe now in possession.
“Why would we change now? Why would we take a step back now? This is the time that the team needs to show conviction, when the lights come on in the Aviva and the atmosphere is rocking as it will ever be and as electric as it will ever be.
"And France, one of the best teams in the world coming at us, do we just suddenly change and not have the courage to do that? And just accept a slow death? Definitely not. And I think we'll show, and we'll need to show, fire and ice."
What he said - Midfielder Josh Cullen
"Like the manager has said, it is the way we play and we want the ball, to be comfortable on the ball, and we're not going change the way we play because of the opposition.
"It's the way I play so it is really important to stick to the principles tomorrow night.
"Nothing changes for us. We play the way we play and I'll try and do my job the best I can like I do every time I play for my country."
WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON FAI TV HERE
Opta Facts - Republic of Ireland v France
- Republic of Ireland are winless in seven games against France (D3 L4) since beating them 3-2 at Lansdowne Road in October 1981 in a World Cup qualifier.
- This will be France’s third away match against the Republic of Ireland in the 21st century, winning the first two 1-0 in September 2005 (goal from Thierry Henry) and November 2009 (goal from Nicolas Anelka).
- Including play-offs, Republic of Ireland have lost just three of their last 30 European Championship qualifying games (W14 D13) and are unbeaten in their last 14 on home soil (W8 D6).
- France have only lost three of their last 29 away qualifying matches for major tournaments (World Cup/Euros), winning 18 and drawing eight. They’ve won six of their last seven on the road (D1) since a 2-0 defeat to Turkey in 2016.
- Republic of Ireland have started their European Championship qualifying campaign with a win in each of their last three campaigns, beating Armenia in 2010, Georgia in 2014 and Gibraltar in 2019. This is the first time they’ve started a campaign at home since 1998, winning 2-0 versus Croatia.
- France have won their last four qualifying matches (World Cup/EUROs) by an aggregate score of 16-0, kicking off this campaign with a 4-0 win against Netherlands. They've not won five successive qualifiers without conceding since doing so between November 1981 and December 1984.
- Evan Ferguson scored on his first international start for the Republic of Ireland in their 3-2 win over Latvia, aged just 18 years and 154 days. No player has scored in consecutive appearances for the Boys in Green before turning 19, while the last player to score in their first two starts was Stephen Ireland in 2007.
- Kylian Mbappé has scored 38 goals in all competitions for France, with his brace against Netherlands last time out moving him into fifth place in the all-time highest goalscorers for Les Bleus. Half of these goals have come in his last 16 appearances, as many as he'd netted in his first 51 internationals.
Republic of Ireland Squad - France
Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Atletico Madrid), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Wolverhampton Wanderers), John Egan (Sheffield United), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Jeff Hendrick (Reading), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jason Knight (Derby County), Will Smallbone (Stoke City, on loan from Southampton), Jamie McGrath (Dundee United), Mark Sykes (Bristol City).
Forwards: Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Michael Obafemi (Burnley), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (Preston North End, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Mikey Johnston (Vitoria, on loan from Celtic)
Results & Fixtures
22/03 - Republic of Ireland 3-2 Latvia, International Friendly, 7.45pm
27/03 - Republic of Ireland v France, UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying, 7.45pm
Two-match ticket bundle for March announced
With prices starting from €65 for the two games, the bundle ticket deal will guarantee tickets for both the international friendly against Latvia on Wednesday, March 22 and the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifier against France on Monday, March 27 as Ireland begin their qualifying campaign, with both matches scheduled for 7.45pm.
Having already sold the full 23,000 Season Ticket allocation in 2023, Stephen Kenny's Ireland side are set to welcome the World Cup finalists France to the Aviva Stadium for the campaign opener in Group B with the Netherlands, Greece and Gibraltar making up the five-team group.
Ireland last beat France in 1981, a famous 3-2 win in Dublin and Ireland will be looking for an historic result to open their campaign in their bid to qualify for the finals tournament in Germany in 2024.
Tickets will go on presale to Season Ticket Holders & Club Ireland members on Wednesday, January 25th at 10am and to Fan Republic subscribers on Thursday, January 26 at midday before the public sale begins on Friday, January 27th at 10am, with no single match tickets available for either fixture.
Prices for the bundle tickets start from €65 for the Category D section, €80 for Category C, €100 for Category B, €125 for Category A and a Family ticket offer is priced at €200 for the two games (for two adults and two children). Children's tickets are priced at €40 for the two fixtures.
All you need to know | Republic of Ireland v France
With kick-off at 7.45pm, the opening match of the campaign at the Aviva Stadium under the lights will be one to remember as Ireland look to secure an historic result against the World Cup finalists.
Ticket details for the match are set to be announced soon so keep checking this website for updates or subscribe to our Fan Republic newsletter for exclusive pre-sale access.
Match Details
Fixture: Republic of Ireland v France
Competition: UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying
Venue: Aviva Stadium
Date: Monday, March 27
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Tickets: Presale | Wednesday, January 25. Public | Friday, January 27
TV: TBC
Last Five Matches
Republic of Ireland: WLWLD
France: DWWWL
Ireland have secured two wins and a draw in their last five matches with two defeats coming against Norway and Scotland.
Stephen Kenny's side secured victories over Malta in an international friendly in Ta'Quli and an excitjng 3-2 win over Armenia at the Aviva Stadium, with the draw coming against a strong Ukraine team, a 1-1 draw in Łódź.
France reached the World Cup final where they secured a 3-3 draw against winners Argentina before they suffered penalty heart-break. The three victories which saw them reach the final were against Morocco, England & Poland whilst they suffered defeat in their final group game against Tunisia.
Head-to-head - Republic of Ireland v France
Games Won: 4
Games Drawn: 5
Games Lost: 8
23/05/1937 - France 0-2 Republic of Ireland - International Friendly
16/11/1952 - Republic of Ireland 1-1 France - International Friendly
04/10/1953 - Republic of Ireland 3-5 France - FIFA World Cup
25/11/1952 - France 1-0 Republic of Ireland - FIFA World Cup
15/11/1972 - Republic of Ireland 1-0 France - FIFA World Cup
19/05/1973 - France 1-1 Republic of Ireland - FIFA World Cup
17/11/1976 - France 2-0 Republic of Ireland - FIFA World Cup
30/03/1977 - Republic of Ireland 1-0 France - FIFA World Cup
28/10/1980 - France 2-0 Republic of Ireland - FIFA World Cup
14/11/1981 - Republic of Ireland 3-2 France - FIFA World Cup
07/02/1989 - Republic of Ireland 0-0 France - International Friendly
09/10/2004 - France 0-0 Republic of Ireland - FIFA World Cup
07/09/2005 - Republic of Ireland 0-1 France - FIFA World Cup
14/11/2009 - Republic of Ireland 0-1 France - FIFA World Cup
18/11/2009 - France 1-1 Republic of Ireland - FIFA World Cup
26/06/2016 - France 2-1 Republic of Ireland - UEFA European Championships
28/05/2018 - France 2-0 Republic of Ireland - International Friendly
Famous Win - Republic of Ireland 3-2 France - November 1981 (pictured)
Ireland Goalscorers: Phillippe Mahut (og 5), Frank Stapleton (25), Michael Robinson (40)
France Goalscorers: Bruno Bellone (9), Michel Platini (83)
Attendance: 53,000
Venue: Lansdowne Road
Referee: Roif Eriksson
Ireland Team: Seamus McDonagh (GK), Chris Hughton, Dave Langan, Mark Lawrenson, Kevin Moran, David O'Leary, Liam Brady (C), Mick Martin, Ronnie Whelan, Michael Robinson, Frank Stapleton (Don Givens 87).
Tactical Lineups
Republic of Ireland
Substitutes
- 16 Caoimhin Kelleher (G)
- 23 Mark Travers (G)
- 3 Andrew Omobamidele
- 8 Alan Browne
- 9 Michael Obafemi
- 10 Adam Idah
- 11 James McClean
- 13 Jeff Hendrick
- 15 Mark Sykes
- 18 Jamie McGrath
- 21 William Smallbone
- 22 Mikey Johnston
Coach
Stephen Kenny
France
Substitutes
- 1 Brice Samba (G)
- 23 Alphonse Areola (G)
- 3 Axel Disasi
- 5 Jules Koundé
- 6 Youssouf Fofana
- 8 Aurélien Tchouameni
- 11 Marcus Thuram
- 15 Jordan Veretout
- 17 Jean-Clair Todibo
- 18 Khephren Thuram
- 19 Moussa Diaby
- 20 Kingsley Coman
Coach
Didier Deschamps
Officials
- Referee Artur Dias
- Assistant Referees Paulo Soares
- UEFA Delegate Jaroslav Dudl
- Assistant Referee Two Pedro Ribeiro
- Fourth Official Fabio Verissimo
- Referee Observer Stefan Messner
- Assistant Video Assistant Referee Luis Godinho
- Video Assistant Referee Tiago Martins
Match Statistics
- Republic of Ireland
- France
Minute by Minute Commentary