The Republic of Ireland were denied a famous result in the most heartbreaking of circumstances as France fought back to secure a 2-1 victory in their opening FIFA World Cup qualifier at Tallaght Stadium.

In front of 8,376 at the venue, captain Katie McCabe had given the Girls in Green a dream start with a superb early goal. Carla Ward’s side delivered a performance full of character and defensive discipline, but two late strikes from substitute Melvine Malard ultimately turned the contest in favour of the world's No. 7-ranked team.

Ireland started with fantastic intensity, taking the game to their opponents from the first whistle. After early chances for Megan Connolly and Emily Murphy tested the French backline, the breakthrough arrived in the 12th minute with a moment of real quality.

McCabe initiated the move, feeding a pass down the left for Murphy to run onto. The Newcastle United forward drove at the French defence before executing a brilliant reverse pass into the path of McCabe, who had continued her run. The captain burst into the box and applied a cool, first-time finish to send Tallaght Stadium into raptures.

France responded strongly, but Ireland's defensive shape held firm, and the team showed flashes of real quality in possession under pressure to go into the break with their lead intact.

The second half saw France increase the pressure, bringing on Lyon star Marie-Antoinette Katoto. Ireland defended heroically, with Caitlin Hayes and Denise O'Sullivan both going close at the other end. The game, however, turned on the introduction of Manchester United's Melvine Malard in the 69th minute. Two minutes later, she cut inside and steered a precise finish into the bottom corner for the equaliser.

As the game entered its final ten minutes, Malard struck again, reacting quickest in a crowded penalty area to guide the ball past Courtney Brosnan and give France the lead.

It is a huge credit to the character of this Irish team that they rallied so gallantly in the closing stages. The Girls in Green were desperately unlucky not to find an equaliser, with late appeals for a penalty waved away after an Amber Barrett shot was blocked. From the resulting corner, a frantic goalmouth scramble saw Denise O'Sullivan's point-blank effort heroically cleared off the line by Katoto.

Despite the heartbreaking finish, Carla Ward’s side will take immense confidence from a performance where they went toe-to-toe with one of the world's best teams. All focus now shifts to the next challenge: an away trip to face the Netherlands in Utrecht on Saturday night.

Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan; Aoife Mannion, Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Chloe Mustaki, Katie McCabe (capt); Megan Connolly (Amber Barrett 85), Denise O'Sullivan, Marissa Sheva; Emily Murphy; Kyra Carusa (Abbie Larkin 70).

France: Constance Picaud; Maelle Lakrar, Thiniba Samoura, Elisa De Almeida (Melween N'dongala 69), Perle Morroni (Melvine Malard 69); Grace Geyoro (capt), Oriane Jean-Francois, Sakina Karchaoui; Sandy Baltimore, Kadidiatou Diani, Clara Mateo (Marie-Antoinette Katoto 46).

Referee: Tess Olofsson (Sweden).

Attendance: 8,376.

Sky Ireland Player of the Match: Emily Murphy