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Mbappe after winning with Ireland

France wins comfortably in the Parc des Princes to secure first place in Group B

France played the Republic of Ireland in Parc des Princes in a match that was far from easy for the Tricolors.

They came in this match as the head of the group with four wins, 0 losses, and 0 draws and they were among the favorites.

Ireland won a free kick in the first minute after a fast start of the game, but they could not do more to risk the target of Maignan. Rabiot, on the other hand, in the third minute decided to shoot from a wide range, but his shot was saved by Bazunu. Giroud tried one minute later but his shot was blocked. France started very well as Mbappe had his chance in the fourth minute.

Stephen Kenny had put a 5-3-2 very defensive formation and wanted to take a point from this challenge. France kept the ball and tried to disbalance Ireland in both wings with Hernandez and Kounde. France was all in the midfield of Ireland in the 10th minute.

Collen was fouled by Rabiot in the 13th minute and Ireland had the chance to find the target of Maignan. Chiedozie Ogbene put the ball into the box, but Maignan was there to save in the first post.

Ireland had some good minutes in the 17th minute and two minutes before and France was a constant danger.

Tchouameni struck a real stunner in the 19th minute, passing France in advantage with a brilliant shoot.

Aurelien Tchouameni of France celebrates after scoring their side’s first goal/Photo by Franco Arland/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Second 20 minutes of the first half…

Theo Hernandez received a yellow for his tackle on the midfield. At the same time, Ireland had to be more careful on the back as France and Giroud were an imminent danger. Giroud was injured in the 26th minute and was replaced by Marcus Thuram…

France was attacking with Ousmane Dembele, who was a constant danger for his opponents in the 33rd minute.

The pressure in the first half made Ireland apatic and they did not have too many chances. Sitting back and waiting would not function anymore as Kenny had to make some substitutions to change the outcome of the game.

Dayot Upamecano found a header after the Griezmman cross in the 37th and France was showing high-level football. Mbappe scored in the 40th but he was offside.

Collins fouled Theo Hernandez in the 41st with Ireland which needed a bit of air in the first half. Dembele crossed once more in the 42nd and that was another red light in the Irish defence. Ireland had a free kick in the 43rd, but could not do much to find the goal.

Marcus Thuram has a chance with a header at the end of the first half, but his header goes wide.

The first half ended in a narrow advantage for France with the Blues that dominated Ireland.

The second half started and France had possession of the ball with Collin who received a yellow for a foul on Rabiot. Mbappe was tackled in the 18-yard box, but the game continued.

Theo Hernandez crossed for him in the 48th, with Egan clearing the ball. That became an assist for Thuram, who scored the second goal.

Marcus Thuram of France celebrates after scoring their side's second
Marcus Thuram of France celebrates after scoring their side’s second goal/Photo by Franco Arland/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Maignan was forced to make a save in the 53rd with Ogbene who tried with a header.

France is brilliant in the build-up and they create with both wings and Theo and Dembele who were acting as wingers. Ireland had to change its behavior or it risked conceding again.

Stephen Kenny makes the first substitution in the 68th minute. Jayson Molumbi is replaced by Dara O’Shea. Adam Idah walks off the pitch and Will Keane is coming on the pitch.

But France would not slow down the rhythm and Dembele found the right post in the 72nd.

Last 20 minutes of the game…

Deschamps decided to make his moves in the 73rd. William Saliba coming on as Lucas Hernandez is leaving the pitch. Kingsley Coman came on for Dembele.

Upamecano tackled Knight in the 75th and Ireland can breathe with this foul in the midfield.

Ireland makes one substitution, this time because Will Keane who came on the field nine minutes ago was injured. Aaron Conolly is on the pitch. Bad luck for Keane as he leaves the pitch and his coach with one alternative less to substitute.

Will Keane of Republic of Ireland leaves the pitch after picking up an injury
Will Keane of Republic of Ireland leaves the pitch after picking up an injury/Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Kenny makes the last substitutions and benches Chiedozie Ogbene with Festy Ebosele.

Griezmann takes a yellow for an intervention against Festy Ebosele. France continues to attack and Mbappe shoots in the 89th, but his left goes wide. Deschamps takes Griezmann off and activates Camavinga. Pavard also replaced Kounde.

France managed the comfortable advantage in the last minutes and had another final chance with Thuram that went wide. They keep the first place in the group with a record of five straight wins.