Aurelien Tchouameni’s spectacular strike paved the way in which for France to safe a snug 2-0 victory over Ireland throughout a Euro 2024 qualifier Thursday, propelling Les Bleus one step nearer to securing their berth in subsequent yr’s finals in Germany.
Real Madrid midfielder Tchouameni opened the scoring with a shocking first-time hit into the far nook within the nineteenth minute on a steamy evening in Paris, and substitute Marcus Thuram elevated the lead simply after half-time.
Last yr’s overwhelmed World Cup finalists have a most of 15 factors and have but to concede a aim after 5 matches in qualifying Group B, which they lead by an enormous 9 factors from each the Netherlands and Greece.
The Dutch, who’ve performed simply three video games, beat Greece 3-0 in Eindhoven and are favorites to qualify with France.
Ireland, with simply three factors after 4 video games, will certainly have to beat the Netherlands at dwelling on Sunday to take care of a sensible probability of going by.
Playing the 900th recreation of their historical past, this was France at one thing like their formidable finest as their athleticism and physicality, allied with far superior technical skill, gave Ireland subsequent to no probability on the Parc des Princes.
It was a uncommon outing for Didier Deschamps’ workforce at what’s French soccer’s non secular dwelling, with the Stade de France at the moment given over to the internet hosting of the Rugby World Cup.
Deschamps gave Lucas Hernandez his first cap for the reason that defender suffered a critical knee damage finally yr’s World Cup, whereas new PSG signing Ousmane Dembele began on the proper wing and Olivier Giroud spearheaded their assault.
Ireland, in the meantime, had Adam Idah of Norwich City main an assault disadvantaged of teenage prodigy Evan Ferguson resulting from damage.
Giroud limps off
France went forward when Kylian Mbappe laid a ball off for Tchouameni, simply exterior the penalty field within the inside-left place, to attain with a powerful first-time strike into the far nook.
It was a aim harking back to his ferocious strike towards England in final yr’s World Cup quarter-final, gained 2-1 by France.
The dwelling facet then suffered a blow as Giroud was pressured to limp off on 26 minutes with an ankle damage that may absolutely, on the very least, preserve him out of Tuesday’s pleasant away to Germany in Dortmund.
Inter Milan ahead Thuram took his place and arrange captain Mbappe to attain by the legs of goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu six minutes earlier than half-time.
However, the aim was disallowed for offside towards Thuram, depriving Mbappe of a forty first France aim which might have seen him equal Michel Platini’s tally for France.
The hosts’ second got here three minutes after the restart as Thuram fired a free ball into the roof of the web from shut vary after Mbappe’s shot was blocked by John Egan.
Moments after that got here the guests’ finest probability as a Chiedozie Ogbene header from point-blank vary was palmed away by Mike Maignan.
Dembele later struck the put up and Ireland might be relieved to not have misplaced by a wider margin.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
