France defender Benjamin Pavard made a spectacular comeback to the crew as his very good second-half strike noticed them beat Republic of Eire 1-0 away in Euro 2024 qualifying Group B on Monday.
Pavard, forged apart ultimately yr’s World Cup after a woeful opening sport, struck from 18 metres to place France on six factors from two video games after Friday’s 4-0 drubbing of the Netherlands.
– Ogden: Pavard reminds France of sophistication going ahead
France goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who took over as primary after Hugo Lloris‘s worldwide retirement, denied the hosts an equaliser with a shocking save within the final minute, three days after stopping a penalty on the Stade de France.
France lead the group forward of second-placed Greece, who’ve three factors having solely performed as soon as, with the Dutch third on aim distinction after beating Gibraltar 3-0 at residence.
Eire are in fourth place after one sport.
“It is by no means straightforward in opposition to such an aggressive crew. We had been forward, however then they threatened on set items. We had been stable, it is a good two video games even when as we speak’s was not so good as Friday’s,” mentioned France coach Didier Deschamps.
“Nevertheless it as a distinct opponent. Anyway, six factors is good. Congratulations to the squad.”
Deschamps made three modifications to the crew who began in opposition to the Netherlands, with Eduardo Camavinga in midfield as a substitute of Aurelien Tchouameni whereas Olivier Giroud was fielded as a lone striker with Randal Kolo Muani sliding to the precise flank and pushing Kingsley Coman to the bench.
In defence, Pavard, who didn’t play on the World Cup after a horrible match in opposition to Australia, returned at right-back as a substitute of Jules Kounde and he made his presence rely.
France bought off to a energetic begin and bought a great likelihood within the ninth minute when Kolo Muani burst into the realm, solely to decide to not shoot and attempt to discover Giroud with a again heel.
It was Les Bleus’ solely respectable alternative within the opening half as they lacked creativity in opposition to an Irish aspect conscious of Kylian Mbappe‘s velocity and completely happy to sit down again and wait.
Pavard, nevertheless, broke the impasse 5 minutes into the second half with an 18-metre shot that went below the bar after he had intercepted a poor go from Josh Cullen to Jason Knight.
Eire upped the strain within the ultimate minutes after France had didn’t double their benefit by way of Adrien Rabiot and Moussa Diaby and so they thought that they had an equaliser by way of Nathan Collins, just for the defender’s header to be tipped away from below the bar by Maignan.
“Mike is Mike. It is not straightforward to come back after Hugo, however he has been round with us for some time and in two video games he is proven his power,” mentioned Deschamps.