Republic of Ireland 0-1 France: Benjamin Pavard strike gives France Euro 2024 qualifying win in Group B

France held on to beat a resilient Ireland side 1-0 in their Euro 2024 Group B qualifier in Dublin. Didier Deschamps’ side were poor in the first half, struggling to break down an organised and defensively disciplined team. Ad Eventually the French showed their quality when Josh Cullen’s loose ball was pounced on by Benjamin Pavard, who fired a long-range rocket into the back of the net early in the second half.

Euro QualifyingMbappe leads France to easy win in first match of Euro 2024 qualifying24/03/2023 AT 19:02 After Gavin Bazunu made a few good saves, Ireland pushed hard for the equaliser in the latter stages of the game but could not find a way through as France goalkeeper Mike Maignan made a couple of brilliant stops. The win makes it two from two for France after they defeated the Netherlands 4-0 in their opening group game. Ireland play Greece and Gibraltar in their next EUro 2024 qualifiers in June.

TALKING POINT — IRELAND SHOW SPIRIT Ireland did not get the result they wanted but they did play very well and should take confidence from their performance. France were frustrated throughout the game and it took a special goal to break them down. Ireland were not just all about defending though — late on in the game they had France worried and hanging on.

Ireland have a youthful team that were at times wasteful in possession and hurried well by their opponents, but they have what it takes to pick up points in Group B. Euro 2024 qualifying tables Euro 2024 qualifying fixtures and results It is a tough group with France and Netherlands expected to go through. Yet, if Stephen Kenny's side continue to perform like that and make the Aviva Stadium a fortress they have the ability to cause an upset or two.