France had to overcome an early deficit to register a resilient 2-1 victory over the Republic of Ireland and survive a monumental scare at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon.
An inspired second-stanza brace from Antoine Griezmann, cancelled out Robbie Brady’s initial spot kick, ensuring the host nation’s progression to the quarter finals.
Ireland got off to a flying start when they took the lead through Brady’s converted penalty, after Shane Long was clumsily bundled over by Paul Pogba inside two minutes.
Les Bleus toiled for the remainder of the half – desperate to restore parity – but could not muster any genuine chances to trouble Darren Randolph’s goal.
The second-half saw France continue to push for an equaliser and they drew level through a superb header from Griezmann.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
The Atletico Madrid prodigy completed his double three minutes later, nonchalantly slotting past Randolph, and sending the partisan crowd into a frenzy.
And when a gallant Ireland were reduced to 10 men five minutes later as Shane Duffy scythed down Griezmann, there was no coming back.
France
Hugo Lloris – 6.5: Could not do anything about the penalty. Called into action on a number of occasions, confident in the air and off his line.
Bacary Sagna – 5.5: Rarely ventured forward, but when he did he delivered a quality crosses into the box for Griezmann’s header.
Adil Rami – 5.5: Defensively suspect at times, caught out of position and was booked for a professional foul.
Laurent Koscielny – 5.5: Wasted a golden chance to draw level from two yards out with a diving header.
Patrice Evra – 6: Resolute defensively and attacked with purpose, particularly in the second half.
N’Golo Kante – 5: Brandished a second yellow card of the tournament for committing a reckless challenge in the middle of the park, and withdrawn at half-time.
Blaise Matuidi – 6: Industrious in the centre of the pitch, screened the defence well and unleashed a stinging effort from outside the area.
Paul Pogba – 6: Conceded a penalty for a foul on Long, though rebounded admirably like any great player would and was involved in a catalogue of French attacks.
Antoine Griezmann – 9: Missed two headed chances early, but quickly atoned in the second-half with a clinical brace – first scoring with his head and then from a one-on-one.
Olivier Giroud – 5: Drew a frustrated figure for the majority of the match, however garnered the assist for France’s second goal.
Dimitri Payet – 7: Influential on the wing and was a constant threat throughout the course of proceedings.
Substitutes
Kingsley Coman – 6: Brought on at the interval and provided a much needed spark, demonstrating exuberance and dynamism.
Andre-Pierre Gignac – 6: Involved in the thick of the action, missing a plethora of openings including a sweetly struck curling effort which crashed off the crossbar.
Moussa Sissoko – N/A: Substituted on in the final seconds.
GERMANY 3 SLOVAKIA 0
Republic of Ireland
Darren Rudolph – 6: Comfortable outing between the sticks in the first period, and despite shipping two goals was not at fault for any of them.
Seamus Coleman – 5.5: The captain could not impose himself on the game and had his hands full in containing Payet.
Shane Duffy – 4: Impervious at the back during the first half and made a crucial headed interception from a delicious cross, but was justifiably given his marching orders for a cynical last-man tackle on Griezmann.
Richard Keogh – 6.5: Like his central counterpart, threw his body on the line to block shots in an attempt to preserve their advantage.
Stephen Ward – 5.5: Allowed too much time and space for Griezmann, able to cut in onto his preferred left-foot with regularity.
James McClean – 6: A decent shift from the West Brom man, but was sacrificed for O’Shea after Ireland went down a man.
Robbie Brady – 7: Slotted a penalty with the assistance of the upright and held the Irish midfield well under enormous pressure.
James McCarthy – 6: Overrun in midfield after the break and rarely had possession.
Jeff Hendrick – 5.5: Inexplicably kicked the ball away in an illustration of petulance and rightfully shown a yellow ticket, struggled with injury after sustaining a knock.
Daryl Murphy – 6.5: Was a nuisance for the French defence, held up the ball expertly to bring his teammates into the game.
Shane Long – 6.5: Won the spot kick and scrapped all game, chasing lost causes even with limited service.
Substitutes
Jonathan Walters – 5: Offered little up front, especially after the red card.
John O’Shea – 5.5: Replaced McClean, and deployed alongside Keogh after his side went down to 10 men.
Wes Hoolahan – 5: Could not provide the impetus off the bench like he did against Italy.
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