France 2-0 Republic of Ireland: Les Bleus continue perfect qualifying campaign as Tchouameni and Thuram goals sees Mbappe and Co ease to win
When England’s players held talks this week about how they would win Euro 2024, stopping France must have been pretty high on the agenda.
Because for all the justified confidence of Gareth Southgate and his squad, whoever lifts the trophy in Germany next summer will probably have to get past Kylian Mbappe and company first.
Goals in either half from Aurelien Tchouameni and substitute Marcus Thuram were enough to ease Ireland aside and make it five wins from five in their qualifying group, but the most significant detail was that both Mbappe and his team were below their best here, especially in the first half.
Yet when a country have the options France do, they don’t always need to hit top form. When Mbappe is off key, Tchouameni and Antoine Griezmann – outstanding in midfield – can call the tune, with Ousmane Dembele a frequent menace on the right flank.
When Olivier Giroud picks up an injury midway through the opening period, coach Didier Deschamps can simply whistle up Thuram, ignoring top talent like Randal Kolo Muani and Kingsley Coman in the process.
France (pictured) beat the Republic of Ireland 2-0 at the Parc des Princes on Thursday evening
Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni (left) scored a brilliant curling opening goal
Tchouameni was congratulated by captain Kylian Mbappe (left) after finding the net superbly
Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram (pictured) then scored the first international goal of his career
Les Bleus continued their perfect record in front of a partisan crowd at the Parc des Princes
Luton forward Chiedozie Ogbene (right) was the brightest player for the visiting Ireland side
Ireland looked to be keeping France at arm’s length until Tchouameni put them in front with a glorious effort just before the 20-minute mark.
Collecting the ball on the left outside the box, the Real Madrid midfielder curled home brilliantly.
Mbappe had a goal disallowed for offside just before half-time while Chiedozie Ogbene was impressive for Ireland, giving France the jitters with his pace and skill.
It was not long before the home side doubled their lead, however.
Theo Hernandez’s low ball reached Mbappe and though his close-range effort was blocked, Thuram was perfectly positioned to hammer in the loose ball.
Tchouameni then nearly scored an even better goal from distance only to be denied by Gavin Bazunu, who also made a sharp stop to keep out Dembele, moments before Griezmann also nearly made it three.