France vs Ireland: Major test for Eileen Gleeson's side on road to ...

6 Apr 2024

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Republic of Ireland

That's about all we have time for this evening on another Independent.ie live blog, where Ireland narrowly lost out to France in Metz. Eileen Gleeson's side will look to get their EURO 2025 qualifying campaign back on track when they face England on April 9th at 7.30pm.

Eileen Gleeson - Figure 1
Photo Independent.ie

Take a final look at Leanne Kiernan's chance late on. Katie McCabe was clearly in a more favourable position had the young forward lifted her head:

That was a stronger second-half performance from Eileen Gleeson's side. France continued to dominate, and Courtney Brosnan played a pivotal role in keeping the French to a solitary goal. However, Ireland stuck to the task and kept the French chances to a minimum. As the action neared the end, half chances fell to Caitlin Hayes and Leanne Kiernan. On another day, Gleeson's Girls in Green might have capitalised on said opportunities. 

Its all over in Metz! Ireland lose out narrowly to a highly favoured France on a 1-0 scoreline. 

France go on the attack down the right through Dali. The midfielder's cross is claimed by Brosnan whose clearance kick is blocked by Kacho. 

The game will undoubtedly exceed the 5 minutes of additional time as Renard leaves the field temporarily. 

This will come as a concern to Herve Renard as returning skipper Wendie Renard goes down with an injury. It remains to be seen if it is serious or not. The action has been delayed as a result. 

Huge save from Brosnan!

Once again the Everton keeper makes a strong save to deny Becho who cut inside Caitlin Hayes. 

There are 5 minutes of additional injury time. Megan Campbell bids to fire another long throw-in into the box but Karchaoui clear. Caitlin Hayes can only find Peyraud-Magnin with the returning ball upfield. 

The Player of the Match award has been given to Ireland's goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan who exhibited brilliant command of her penalty area and made the necessary saves to keep Ireland in the game up to this point. 

Caitlin Hayes got a crucial flick on the cross to deny Le Sommer a clear-cut header in that last attack. 

Baltimore takes on Mannion and squares into the box but Megan Connolly clears the Irish lines momentarily.

Another late chance for Ireland via the boot of Leanne Kiernan. The Liverpool youngster probably ought to have crossed centrally instead of trying to lob Peyraud-Magnin in the French goal.

Caitlin Hayes goes close!

Megan Campbell's long throw is flicked goalward by the centre-half, but Peyraud-Magnin gathers routinely. 

Katie McCabe's initial freekick fails to beat the first woman, and the second is cleared to safety by Le Sommer. Ireland remain in possession in the French half with another Megan Campbell throw-in.

France make another attacking substitution. 

Becho's cross is picked off by Katie McCabe. The Ireland captain sends Megan Campbell into space who wins the foul. 

As the game nears the closing stages, the attendance in Metz is announced with 16,772 spectators looking on this evening. 

Here's how close Le Sommer came to producing another goal for France directly off the bench: 

Mannion goes into the book for a cynical foul on Diani which nullified the French counterattack in a promising situation.  

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