Hosts France advanced to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Euro 2016 with a 2-1 win over the Republic of Ireland in their round-of-16 match in Lyon. Ireland were granted a very early penalty which was converted by Robbie Brady. But France grew into the game and eventually found their first goal through an Antoine Griezmann header. The Atletico Madrid man then scored again to give his side the lead as France dominated the second half. Ireland’s misery grew as they went down to 10-men when defender Shane Duffy brought down Antoine Griezmann at the edge of the Ireland box.
The win takes France into the quarterfinals where they will now face either England or Iceland. Here is how the players from both sides fared:
France
Hugo Lloris – 7/10
The Tottenham Hotspur shot-stopper did well to deny Ireland score another goal. He could not save the penalty and dived the other side. But as the game progressed he made crucial interceptions.
Bacary Sagna – 6/10
The Manchester City right-back did not produce much in the first-half. But he was effective in the second half with his crosses into the box. He was troubled by McClean as the Irishman got a few crosses into the box but assisted Greizmann in scoring the equalizer with his fine cross.
Adil Rami – 5/10
The Sevilla defender had a poor game and was troubled by the likes of Shane Long and Jon Walters as the game entered the climax. He looked under pressure from the start. He earned himself a yellow card, meaning he will miss the quarterfinal.
Laurent Koscielny – 6/10
The Arsenal man was not his typical self. He was also very shaky in defence but made a few key interceptions. He did not stamp his authority at the back which was a worrying factor for his side.
Patrice Evra – 6/10
The experienced left-back was very quiet throughout the game. He did not get forward as much as his team would have liked. But defensively, he was up to the task.
N’Golo Kante – 6/10
The Leicester City midfielder only played the first half as he was sacrificed in order to get the equaliser. He made several tackles, broke up the play and ran forward with the ball when he was on the pitch.
Blaise Matuidi – 6/10
The PSG man played well throughout the game and did not let the Irish dominate in the midfield. He moved into attack swiftly and helped his side keep possession and put pressure on the opposition.
Paul Pogba – 7/10
The Juventus man was very bright throughout the game. He started the game by giving away the controversial penalty but made up for it with his performance. The youngster helped Payet and Griezmann get space to run into.
Antoine Griezmann – 9/10
The Atletico Madrid forward was the man of the match. He scored both the goals for France, one with a header and the second with a calm finish. He could have had his hat-trick as he had several more attempts at the Irish goal.
Dimitri Payet – 7/10
France’s best player in the group stages was off color in the first half as he did not see much of possession. But he started the second half brightly and helped his side in piling pressure on the Irish.
Olivier Giroud – 6/10
The Arsenal man was pedestrian in the first half as his teammates failed to get the ball to him. But he got more involved in the second half and produced a fine knock down for Griezmann, which helped France get the lead.
Substitutes
Kinsley Coman – 8/10
The youngster was brought on in place of N’Golo Kante at half-time to help his side. He brought back life into the French side and was very sharp. Coman helped his side in turning around a one-goal deficit.
Andre-Pierre Gignac – 7/10
The forward replaced Olivier Giroud in the 73rd minute and looked very energetic. He had several attempts at goal and struck the crossbar once.
Moussa Sissoko – NA
He was brought on to eat up time in the second half added time.
Republic of Ireland
Darren Randolph – 7/10
The Irish goalkeeper was very good throughout the game but was unlucky to concede two goals. He made several saves and denied the French to frustrate them for the first hour of the game.
Seamus Coleman – 6/10
The Everton right-back played well to cover up his fellow defenders. He was lively and produced some good crosses into the box whenever the Irish got the ball.
Shane Duffy – 5/10
The Newcastle United defender did not do much wrong but he was sent off for a challenge on Antoine Griezmann as the forward had a clear-cut chance at goal. Hence, the referee sent him off. He was solid at the back before being receiving his marching orders.
Richard Keogh – 6/10
The Irish central defender was very calm under pressure and was solid. But he could not stop Griezmann from scoring the header for the equaliser.
Stephen Ward – 5/10
The Burnley left-back was very good throughout the game as he started the first half brightly. But he could not stop Olivier Giroud from knocking the ball down in the path of Griezmann. He was quick and made several blocks and interceptions.
James McCarthy – 5/10
The Everton midfielder did not do much in the attacking half of the pitch but was always there to protect his back-line. He was taken off in the 72nd minute to give Wes Hoolahan a chance after his side had gone down to 10-men.
Jeff Hendrick – 6/10
The Derby County midfielder was very solid in the heart of midfield for Ireland. He broke up the play regularly and did not let France have any real opportunities in the first 60 minutes. But as his side lost a man, he became helpless.
Robbie Brady – 7/10
The Norwich City man was very lively for the Irish. He started the game by scoring a thrashing penalty into the right post and into the net. He showed a lot of fight after his side went down to 10-men and was unlucky to have been on the losing side.
Daryl Murphy – 5/10
The 33-year-old striker did not do much for his side and was replaced by his manager Martin O’Neill. He did not produce any real opportunities for his side up front.
Shane Long – 8/10
The Southampton man was the best player for his side on the pitch. He fought for every 50-50 chance and came out on top more often than not. He was lively and created a few chances for his teammates late in the game.
James McClean – 6/10
The West Bromwich Albion midfielder was very good with his crosses down the left wing but his crosses were not met by his teammates. His influence on the game worn out as the game progressed.
Substitutes
Jon Walters – 4/10
The Stoke City striker was disappointing after he replaced Daryl Murphy in the 65th minute. He could not get to the end of the crosses from his teammates.
John O’Shea – 6/10
The former Manchester United defender was brought on to replace James McClean as the Irish went down to 10-men. He did well to deny France a third goal.
Wes Hoolahan – 6/10
The Norwich City midfielder was brought on to replace James McCarthy and did well in the end to create a few chances for his side.
