Benjamin Pavard’s superb strike helps France deny spirited Republic of Ireland

Benjamin Pavard’s sweet strike edged World Cup finalists France to a Euro 2024 qualifying victory in Dublin as the Republic of Ireland were made to pay for one fatal error.

Pavard’s 50th-minute contribution, which came after he had picked off Josh Cullen’s ill-advised pass across the edge of his own box, secured a 1-0 Group B victory to go with Friday’s 4-0 rout of the Netherlands.

However, it took a brilliant 90th-minute save from Mike Maignan to deny Nathan Collins a last-gasp equaliser in a grandstand finish.

The world’s third-ranked side were made to work desperately hard for the points by an Ireland team sitting 48th in Fifa’s table two years to the day since they suffered the humiliation of a 1-0 World Cup qualifying defeat by Luxembourg at the Aviva Stadium.

France dominated possession for much of the game, but were unable to trouble the keeper Gavin Bazunu until Cullen’s rare slip let Pavard in as Stephen Kenny’s men, who handled superstar Kylian Mbappé well, defended diligently and tried to hit them on the break.

WHAT. A. HIT.