2023-09-07 23:12:54
The French team took a new step towards Euro-2024 football by beating Ireland 2-0 on Thursday September 7 at the Parc des Princes, signing its fifth victory in five qualifying days.
Published on: 09/07/2023 – 23:12
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The Blues are approaching Germany. The French team continued its flawless performance on the road to Euro-2024 by securing a fifth success in as many matches against Ireland (2-0), taking a big step towards qualification, Thursday September 7 at the Parc des Princes.
It would now take a terrible cataclysm to prevent Didier Deschamps’ troops, well at the head of group B, from being present at the next European Championship (from June 14 to July 14, 2024) and the ticket could be composted as soon as they travel to the Netherlands, October 13.
All the lights are therefore green for the world vice-champions, who continue to completely master their subject in their group and are riding the great momentum of the World Cup in Qatar. Germany, future host country of the continental tournament, can expect to suffer on Tuesday in Dortmund when it crosses paths with Kylian Mbappé’s gang in a friendly match.
Even far from their usual base, the Stade de France being requisitioned for the Rugby World Cup, the Tricolores did not flinch against the Irish and worthily celebrated their reunion with the Parc des Princes, almost two years after their last appearance in the enclosure, November 13, 2021 against Kazakhstan (8-0).
If that evening, the Blues had succeeded in a demonstration under the leadership of Kylian Mbappé, author of a quadruplet, the offensive festival was not there this time, despite constant domination. But the essential was obtained, first thanks to a very nice goal from Aurélien Tchouaméni (19th), slightly off-center on the left side, on a shot from almost 20 m. The Real Madrid midfielder, author of a huge performance, recalled that he had dynamite in his feet, he who had also opened the scoring with a long-range attempt in the quarter-final of the 2022 World Cup against the England (2-1).
Marcus Thuram, who entered in the 20th minute to replace the injured Olivier Giroud, then benefited from some good work from Antoine Griezmann to double the lead and open his national team account for his 11th appearance in the blue jersey (48th) .
No goals conceded
These two achievements rewarded the overwhelming superiority of the French team, despite conditions made very delicate by the scorching temperatures reigning in Paris.
Paradoxically, Blues star Kylian Mbappé came away a little frustrated from this game against the Irish. While playing in his garden at the Parc, the PSG striker ultimately remained quite discreet in attack and will have to wait before equaling Michel Platini’s number of goals for the national team (41). The captain certainly had two huge opportunities but was each time penalized for offside.
Ousmane Dembélé, the other Parisian player present at the kick-off, was not happier, making huge differences with his speed but still with a lot of waste in the last gesture, even if he was unhappy on a hook-strike sequence which hit the Irish post in the second half (72nd).
Behind, the French defenders were intractable, letting absolutely nothing get by and were able to count on Mike Maignan who was still imperial in his cage. As in the first leg in Dublin in March (1-0), the AC Milan goalkeeper pulled out all the stops when necessary by interposing with a reflex save on a header from Chiedozie Ogbene (50th).
Since the 2022 World Cup and the start of Euro 2024 qualifying, the Blues have not conceded a single goal. Besides the result and the manner, this is something to particularly delight Didier Deschamps.
With AFP
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