Maignan heroics, Pavard wonder goal secure France win

DUBLIN — Benjamin Pavard added one other spectacular goal to his assortment with an unstoppable second-half strike which secured France a slender 1-0 win towards the Republic of Ireland on Monday night time.

A mistake by Ireland midfielder Josh Cullen gifted the ball to Pavard, however there appeared little hazard till the Bayern Munich full-back unleashed a right-footed shot that crashed in off the underside of the crossbar. Ultimately, although, Les Bleus had goalkeeper Mike Maignan to thank for the win following his double save from Alan Browne and Nathan Collins within the 89th minute.

Rapid response

1. Maignan heroics seal France win in Dublin

Mike Maignan took a agency grip of the France No. 1 jersey following the retirement of World Cup winner Hugo Lloris with two gorgeous late saves to make sure a 1-0 victory for Didier Deschamps’ workforce towards the Republic of Ireland. The AC Milan keeper has been handed the possibility to exchange Lloris, who retired after Qatar 2022, by Deschamps forward of Alphonse Areola and Brice Samba and he repaid his supervisor’s religion within the Aviva Stadium.

Having cruised to an emphatic 4-0 win towards the Netherlands of their Euro 2024 qualification opener on matchday one, France have been much less spectacular towards Stephen Kenny’s Ireland in Dublin. They wanted a spectacular goal by Pavard within the fiftieth minute, when the Bayern Munich full-back scored from 25 yards, to seal the win and maintain France on high of Group B.

Ireland had not crushed France since October 1981 — a run that now extends to 9 video games after this defeat — however they might have snatched a well-known win however for Maignan’s late heroics.

He first saved out a goal-bound header from Browne within the 89th minute earlier than producing a fair higher cease from the nook that adopted seconds later. When Collins rose above the French defence to go Cullen’s cross from six yards, the ball appeared destined for the highest nook, however Maignan in some way managed to maintain it out of the online.

It was a match-winning save by the goalkeeper, and it meant that France at the moment are in agency management of qualification for the Euros. For Ireland, it was a shedding begin to the marketing campaign, however they will take confidence from their efficiency and slender defeat as they try to say second spot forward of the Dutch and Greece.

2. Pavard bolsters fame with one other gorgeous goal

Is there a greater right-back in world soccer proper now than Pavard? If there may be, it is troublesome to pinpoint a participant who’s in higher kind than the France and Bayern Munich defender.

The 26-year-old sprang to prominence together with his gorgeous goal throughout France’s 3-2 win towards Argentina at Russia 2018, and he scored with one other excellent strike in Dublin on Monday, beating Ireland keeper Gavin Bazunu with a 25-yard shot that flew in off the underside of the crossbar. But whereas Pavard has a fame for the spectacular, his main function is to defend, and he was distinctive for Deschamps’ workforce on this slender win.

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Pavard has tempo, he reads the sport nicely and is a clear tackler. And sure, he can contribute to devastating impact going ahead, as proven by his goal.

England’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has Pavard’s attacking qualities, however none of his defensive capabilities. Kyle Walker’s tempo is on a par with Pavard’s, however he would not have the Bayern man’s capacity going ahead.

This was an evening when all eyes have been on Kylian Mbappe, and that’s often the case when France play, however identical to Mbappe, Pavard can be in a league of his personal.

3. Tough night time, however indicators of promise for Ferguson

Evan Ferguson is destined for large issues in his profession for membership and nation, however the Brighton & Hove Albion striker had a tricky studying expertise towards France. The 18-year-old has scored seven targets in 16 first-team appearances for the Seagulls this season and he’s already seeing his title linked with a transfer to Manchester United.

For these golf equipment in search of an rising centre-forward, {the teenager} from County Meath ticks so many containers by way of his goal file, bodily stature and ease with which he has adjusted to the Premier League in his first season as an expert.

But in solely his fourth look for Ireland, Ferguson was given a mountain to climb towards France defenders Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate. The French central defensive pair developed an understanding whereas enjoying collectively at RB Leipzig earlier than shifting on to Bayern Munich and Liverpool, respectively, in order that they teamed as much as nullify Ferguson.

Yet regardless of the Champions League expertise that he was up towards, Ferguson was a handful for each defenders, and he was substituted on 65 minutes, changed by Adam Idah, after operating himself into the bottom. Ferguson will likely be higher for the expertise of this sport, and whichever large membership indicators him, they are going to be getting a wonderful younger participant.

Best and worst performers

BEST: Dayot Upamecano, France. With Raphael Varane having retired from worldwide soccer, there’s a management hole to be stuffed within the France defence, and Upamecano confirmed he could be the person to fill it.

BEST: Gavin Bazunu, Republic of Ireland. The Ireland goalkeeper had no probability with Pavard’s goal and he gave a peaceful and commanding efficiency for Kenny’s workforce.

BEST: Eduardo Camavinga, France. The Real Madrid midfielder is more likely to be the person who ends N’Golo Kante’s worldwide profession. So good within the defensive midfield function.

WORST: Josh Cullen, Republic of Ireland. A troublesome night time for the Burnley midfielder towards France’s array of expertise, and it was his mistake that led to Pavard’s second-half goal.

WORST: Randal Kolo Muani, France. None of France’s attacking gamers produced their finest in Dublin, however Eintracht Frankfurt ahead Muani was the least efficient.

WORST: Jayson Molumby, Republic of Ireland. The West Brom midfielder spent many of the sport chasing French shadows. A studying expertise if nothing else.

Highlights and notable moments

Pavard could not rating many, however when he does rating … look out. What a factor of magnificence from the right-back.

BENJAMIN PAVARD 🇫🇷

Frances claims the 1-0 lead over Ireland after a spectacular end from the appropriate again! pic.twitter.com/GkbwvuWQEK

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 27, 2023

After the match: What the gamers/managers mentioned

Deschamps: “This allows us to keep the three points. Mike is Mike. It’s not easy to take Lloris’ place, but he’s been with us for a while. He has a lot of strength, so much the better.”

Chiedozie Ogbene: “There are positives to take and we had enough chances to take a point, at least. I’m devastated for the guys, we gave everything. I said it before, we trained to win this game and were unfortunate not to get a result. We should be very proud, we matched one of the best teams in the world and the future is bright.”

Key stats (supplied by ESPN Stats & Information analysis)

– Pavard’s goal was his first for France since November 2020 vs. Sweden.

– Two of Pavard’s three worldwide targets have been from outdoors the field, with Monday’s strike from a distance of twenty-two.2 meters

Up subsequent

Republic of Ireland: Ireland are subsequent in motion on June 16, after they’ll go to Greece for an additional European Championship qualifier.

France: Les Bleus additionally return to worldwide play on June 16 with a Euro 2024 qualifying match of their very own at Gibraltar.