A Benjamin Pavard goal in the second half saw the Republic of Ireland narrowly beaten by France in their Euro 2024 qualifier opener at the Aviva Stadium.
Here is how the Irish players rated:
Gavin Bazunu - 8
For a lot of the game, Bazunu had very little to do as an organised Irish defence stopped France from having a clear route to goal. His biggest contribution of the first half was when a corner from Antoine Griezmann was knocked down in front of him. The second half saw the goalkeeper make a succession of saves that made sure Ireland stayed in the game.
Seamus Coleman - 7
If the role of a full-back is about covering space and linking up with a back three and the midfield, he epitomised that against France. Coleman kept running, and he was able to find the time to play balls through to the Irish forwards. He led by example and did not once look tired over an exhausting 90 minutes against the World Cup runners up.
Dara O'Shea - 7
His night was all about positioning as he read everything around him while not once drifting out of position. This made sure that there were no gaps that France could exploit in the Irish defence.
John Egan - 7
The defender marked his first start for Ireland in 2023 by marshalling the back three and he organised them with expert precision. He commanded the area and this contributed massively to France only having three shots on target.
Nathan Collins - 6
An excellent performance by the Kildare man could have been capped off when he connected with a corner from Josh Cullen in the 88th minute. This brought everyone to their feet and they saw the French goalkeeper claw the ball out from the top right corner.
Matt Doherty - 7
Another expert showing from the full-back as he hunted down every ball and not once looked tired as he played in between the midfield and defence. Doherty left the pitch for James McClean in the second half as a player who gave everything against one of the best teams in world football.
Josh Cullen - 5
He did everything he was supposed to but the standout moment of the night for the defender was a pass that got intercepted that led to the only goal of the game. Apart from that, he did everything that he was supposed to with only one blot on his copy book.
Jayson Molumby - 7
The West Bromwich Albion midfielder was everywhere for Ireland in the centre of the pitch. He was first to break up any bit of French play in the middle, and he made sure Ireland gave away no turnovers when they pushed up high into the opposition half.
Jason Knight - 6
The midfielder marked his first appearance in a green jersey in 2023 with a masterful performance in midfield for Ireland. He was often pushed forward to link up with Ferguson, and he intricately worked with the striker. The midfielder was unlucky not to score at the start of the second half when he had a shot blocked after collecting a pass from Ogbene.
Evan Ferguson - 7
The highest-scoring teenager in the Premier League this season did not look out of place as he started his first competitive game for Ireland. The striker ran at every ball sent his way, and he held himself well to win a number of frees late in the first half.
Chiedozie Ogbene - 8
The forward was everywhere for Ireland, he even went back in the first half to assist Seamus Coleman at right back. When he wasn’t covering space and watching Mbappe, Ogbene was hunting down every ball and constantly pressing the French backline.
Subs:
Adam Idah - 5
The striker made his first appearance in a green jersey since 2021 as a second half substitute. He pressed the French back-line but still looked like a player coming back into the team after a brief spell on the side-lines.
James McClean - 6
The winger turned full-back came on and forced a save with almost his first shot. He did everything he could, it was a classic cameo from the soon to be Irish centurion.
Alan Browne - 6
The midfielder came on and quickly shot for goal. It was a tidy appearance from Browne, who hardly put a foot wrong.
Mikey Johnston - 7
The quick footed winger made his first competitive appearance in green and gave the crowd a lot to be excited about with his runs and carries.
Michael Obafemi - 7
His energy levels were confined to a second half showing but he still carried the ball and pushed Ireland on when they needed fresh legs up front.
