France also won the second match in the qualifying series for the European Championship in 2024 on Monday. Three days after the convincing victory over the Orange squad, ‘Les Bleus’ were too strong for Ireland with 0-1.
The match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin didn’t have too many highlights. As expected, the French had the most possession and made the most attempts on goal, without attacking en masse.
It led to one goal, which came at the beginning of the second half. Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard took a swing from the edge of the penalty area and was accurate via the underside of the crossbar. The French crossed the line, thanks in part to a great save by keeper Mike Maignan in the final phase.
Compared to the match against the Netherlands, national coach Didier Deschamps had made some changes. He let Pavard, Eduardo Camavinga and Olivier Giroud start.
Thanks to the two victories, France is in the lead in group B. Greece has played one match so far (it was 0-3 at Gibraltar on Friday) and can still draw points. Orange is number three. The best two teams eventually go directly to the European Championship.
France’s next European Championship qualifiers are in June. On June 16, Gibraltar will be played, after which the Greeks will come to Paris three days later. The Orange squad will meet Croatia in the semi-finals of the Nations League that month.
Stand in groep B
- Frankrijk 2-6 (+5)
- Griekenland 1-3 (+3)
- Nederland 2-3 (-1)
- Ierland 1-0 (-1)
- Gibraltar 2-0 (-6)
