This could be a huge night for the Republic of Ireland as Carla Ward’s side look to secure direct qualification to the 2027 World Cup.
The Stade des Alpes in Grenoble could be the setting for a historic night if Ireland can get a win against France. It’s a huge ask but after what they achieved last Friday in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, nothing is impossible for this team.
We’ll be taking you through all the action this evening, and we’ll have the team line-ups for you shortly too.
And as always, let us know your thoughts on how you think this will go.
As expected, Denise O’Sullivan and Emily Murphy come back into the side after serving their one-match bans. Ruesha Littlejohn and Abbie Larkin make way.
9 Jun
7:11PM
And here is how the hosts are setting up this evening:
And away we go as Ireland take the kick-off. They get some early passes in before France get the ball back.
Sandy Baltimore takes on Aoife Mannion and wins the free. O’Sullivan then is overzealous with a challenge and France have a free-kick just inside from the corner spot.
9 Jun
8:04PM
4 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
FRANCE CHANCE!
Nervy moment as the ball bounces up in the box but Ireland deal with it and clear the danger.
O’Sullivan then gets dispossessed and France counter quickly with Grace Geyoro letting fly with a daisy-cutter.
Brosnan reads it well though and gets down in good time to make the save.
9 Jun
8:06PM
5 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Sakina Karchaoui wins a free from O’Sullivan for having the studs up. Another chance for France from an inviting position.
9 Jun
8:07PM
6 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
France try to go short but don’t make anything of it. Ireland keeping a good shape and Caitlyn Hayes steps in with some good defending to poke the ball away.
9 Jun
8:09PM
8 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
France enjoying most of the possession in the early minutes and they push through again with another attack.
Again, Brosnan is required to make a save from Melvine Malard.
More pressure follows and France have a corner.
9 Jun
8:10PM
9 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Anna Patten positions herself well at the back post to get the header away. It’s another piece of assured defending, but Ireland need to start attacking too.
9 Jun
8:11PM
10 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Ireland have a throw in their own half and work it back to set up the attack. The ball is knocked on for O’Sullivan, but it’s just too far ahead of her and France go on the march again.
9 Jun
8:13PM
12 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
McCabe takes a throw but France mark up tightly and the ball is given away again. Delphine Cascarino puts a cross in for Mannion to get the clearance.
France then win a corner for a brilliant shot that takes a deflection off Hayes.
9 Jun
8:15PM
14 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Kyra Carusa with her first major involvement as she draws a free for a push in the back. McCabe drops it in where the ball spills to Carusa whose header is sent out for a throw.
9 Jun
8:17PM
16 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Ireland starting to spend a bit of time in the French half of the field. Carusa is muscled off the ball, but the referee waves play on.
France go forward again, but the ball comes to Patten.
9 Jun
8:19PM
18 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Ireland string some lovely passes together as they push forward. The delivery into the box doesn’t find an Ireland shirt, but that’s good creativity from Carla Ward’s side.
9 Jun
8:21PM
20 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Offside flag goes up against Malard and Brosnan thumps it up the field. Megan Connolly is under and wins a free for a foul by Karchaoui.
9 Jun
8:23PM
22 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
McCabe loops the ball in, but it’s too easy for the France goalkeeper Constance Picaud. And then a heart in the mouth moment as Emily Murphy’s back-pass almost ends up in the net.
But Brosnan is alert and gets back in plenty of time to avert the danger. Brosnan is required again moments later to leap up and claim a French cross.
9 Jun
8:26PM
25 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
FRANCE MISS!
Connolly’s loose pass sees France get the possession back. Murphy then tries to retrieve the ball, but France keep it.
Mannion does well to kill off an attack, but France get it back again. Cascarino puts it into the danger area and the ball comes to Baltimore who smacks it first time, but it goes well over the bar.
Huge let off for Ireland there.
9 Jun
8:28PM
27 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
McCabe concedes a corner by getting the toe in to put the ball out. They go short and work the ball around before Marissa Sheva gets a block to push them back.
9 Jun
8:29PM
28 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Ireland can’t get out of their own half, but they’re defending bravely. Brosnan the latest to intervene as she slides out to stop the ball and pulls her arms away as the ball rolls out of the box.
9 Jun
8:31PM
30 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Now it’s Ireland’s turn to attack. Carusa wins the ball back as Ireland work the passes up. A bit of miscommunication gives the ball back to France, and they put it out for an Ireland throw.
9 Jun
8:32PM
32 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Hayes does well to win the ball back. McCabe feeds Sheva who un turn tries to send it down the line to Murphy.
France get it back but Ireland press well and Cascarino is given a yellow card for a challenge on McCabe.
9 Jun
8:33PM
32 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Connolly stands over this one, and she tries to find Hayes on the head but it’s a free out for a foul by Carusa.
9 Jun
8:35PM
34 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
IRELAND MISS!
That’s more like it from Ireland.
Carusa gets the ball out wide from Mannion. She tries to slip it across to the incoming Murphy but the France keeper gets her body behind it.
Much more encouraging though. Ireland need to keep threatening the French.
9 Jun
8:37PM
36 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
McCabe clears the ball down the field after another France move. The play moves over and back a bit between the two sides before the ball eventually goes out for a French throw.
9 Jun
8:39PM
38 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Ireland do brilliantly to hold their lines and force France back. Hayes then snuffs out the danger and France must build again.
France kept coming at them and Ireland couldn’t hold them out from a corner which they go short with. It’s Melvine Malard who gives France the lead with an overhead kick and Ireland are really under pressure now if they are to get that win.
9 Jun
8:45PM
44 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
IRELAND MISS!
O’Sullivan tries one from distance while the keeper is out of her goals after a collision with Carusa over a loose pass in the France defence.
O’Sullivan probably could have done better with that shot from around the halfway line.
9 Jun
8:47PM
45 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
One minute of added time to be played and France have a throw to create another chance.
Well, that was tough. Ireland were so close to taking a 0-0 game into the half-time break but just switched off slightly for that goal by Malard.
Carla Ward’s side really haven’t created any real chances and that half-way line chance for O’Sullivan is probably the closest we have come to getting a goal.
Ireland may decide to make changes at half-time and really try to press for that equaliser.
No changes for either side as the second half gets underway.
9 Jun
9:04PM
47 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Ball up finds O’Sullivan who tries to square her pass to Sheva but it’s well cut out. Patten then carries the ball forward Ireland get into the France penalty area where it gets a bit messy, but Ireland still have it.
9 Jun
9:07PM
50 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
FRANCE CHANCE!
Malard nearly gets in again but Mannion is back secure the ball for Ireland. Patten did well there too to slow Malard up a bit as the ball came in.
9 Jun
9:09PM
51 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Good play from Ireland after those frantic few moments. The ball comes back to Hayes who tries to find McCabe, but there’s too much on it.
9 Jun
9:10PM
54 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Karchaoui has a pop off her left outside the box. She used her footwork to stretch the Ireland defence before releasing the shot and it’s not a bad effort as it sails over.
9 Jun
9:12PM
54 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Carusa gets shoved off the ball again but Ireland don’t get the free.
9 Jun
9:15PM
58 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
O’Sullivan gets the free for being pulled back. Mannion and Connolly bring the ball across midfield, and it eventually comes up to O’Sullivan who tries to put Carusa through.
But the ball gets tangled up in her feet and France get it away.
9 Jun
9:17PM
60 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Brosnan finds Murphy who wins the ball and gets a free at the same time.
Ireland change: Jess Ziu comes in for Connolly.
9 Jun
9:18PM
61 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Ireland don’t get anything from the free as Hayes is blocked off while trying to run in. She wasn’t happy with that and the referee calls both players in and tells them to cool down.
9 Jun
9:20PM
63 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Great ball down the wing to Mannion. Maelle Lakrar blocks it out for a throw and Ireland then get a corner.
McCabe to send it in.
9 Jun
9:20PM
64 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
McCabe finds Hayes at the back who heads it back towards the goals. France get it away though.
9 Jun
9:21PM
65 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Offside flag against Malard who got in behind. The replay looks as though Mustaki was keeping her onside though but Ireland certainly won’t complain.
9 Jun
9:23PM
66 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
IRELAND MISS!
Oh, what a chance!! Mannion’s delivery is knocked down to Sheva. She shoots first time and scuffs it for Picaud to get off her line and secure the ball before Carusa can get a touch on it.
9 Jun
9:24PM
67 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
FRANCE SAVE!
Ireland are so close to getting an equaliser. A McCabe free-kick finds Patten at the back. She connects well with it, but it’s a terrific save and Ireland have a corner.
9 Jun
9:25PM
69 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Not much from that for Ireland. Hayes gets to the edge of the area of the header, but it’s well off target.
France make some changes and Ireland look like they’re getting ready to unleash Abbie Larkin who was among the goalscorers in Cork.
9 Jun
9:26PM
70 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Ireland change: Larkin replaces Carusa.
9 Jun
9:27PM
71 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Good defensive work to nip the ball away and although France come back again, the flag goes up quickly. Ireland don’t waste any time in getting going again.
9 Jun
9:29PM
72 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
FRANCE RED CARD!
And it’s Thiniba Samoura who is dismissed for a second yellow. She hauled down Murphy who was trying to chase a ball in behind. That could have a one-on-one situation if she got through.
Murphy concedes a free out for a shove in the back.
9 Jun
9:33PM
76 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Hayes wins the ball back after Ireland give possession away. Ireland need to be careful with such a high line that they don’t concede again.
9 Jun
9:34PM
77 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
McCabe tries from the edge of the box, but she screws the shot completely and that’s another chance gone for Ireland as the final 10 minutes draw closer.
9 Jun
9:35PM
79 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
IRELAND MISS!
Larkin with a huge opportunity to level it there right in front of the goals after it was put on a plate for her. But she hits it right at the goalie and that’s a killer for Ireland.
9 Jun
9:38PM
81 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
More miscommunication in the Ireland defence. Brosnan was coming out to gather the ball, but Hayes gets in front of her and thumps it out for a France throw. That’s more seconds wasted there.
9 Jun
9:39PM
83 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Mannion clips the ball back to Hayes, and it’s over to Mustaki who pushes it up the line.
The flag goes up against Sheva.
9 Jun
9:40PM
83 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Ireland free-kick for a foul on McCabe. Another delivery on the way.
9 Jun
9:40PM
84 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Hayes gets the header, but she’s directly under it and the ball flies over it.
9 Jun
9:42PM
85 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
France win a free out for a challenge by Murphy in the area. Down to the last five minutes.
9 Jun
9:43PM
87 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Ireland looking a bit flat now. Their attacks don’t have the same zip as Mannion tries to put O’Sullivan through, but the ball rolls out over the end-line.
And Hayes makes a vital challenge at the other end to put the ball out for a corner. That was huge.
9 Jun
9:45PM
88 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Brosnan claims the ball and Mannion almost gets dispossessed straight away, but she eventually peels away. Larkin gets on the end of this move and wins a free.
Ireland changes: Amber Barrett and Saoirse Noonan are in for Mannion and Sheva.
9 Jun
9:46PM
89 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
McCabe’s free is blocked away. France reclaim the ball from the Ireland, but the visitors get it back again.
9 Jun
9:47PM
89 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
The long ball in doesn’t work and France come away with it once more. Ireland get a free-kick and get it going quickly.
Three minutes of added time.
9 Jun
9:48PM
91 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
The ball flashes across the box and Larkin goes out to gather it. France counter quickly, but Patten gets the challenge in to win it back.
9 Jun
9:49PM
92 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
McCabe sends in another ball, and it comes to the French goalkeeper. That equaliser is proving so elusive.
Ireland had so many chances there and will be disappointed not to convert any of them. Abbie Larkin’s one was particularly agonising to watch.
And that first-half goal denies them direct qualification for the World Cup. But all is not lost as they already had a place in the play-offs secured going into this game.
9 Jun
9:58PM
Caitlyn Hayes speaking to RTÉ saying that her teammates can “hold their heads up high” after bringing a big challenge to France this evening.
9 Jun
9:59PM
Netherlands won the other game in Ireland’s A2 group, beating Poland 3-1.
That means France win the group and take that automatic qualification place. Netherlands finish in second place and Ireland take third.
9 Jun
10:01PM
Well, that’s all from us, folks.
Stick around for Emma Duffy’s match report live from Grenoble.
We hope you enjoyed tonight’s coverage, despite the disappointing results.
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As it happened: France defeat Republic of Ireland 1-0 in World Cup Qualifier
Result – World Cup Qualifier
****
Here we go!
This could be a huge night for the Republic of Ireland as Carla Ward’s side look to secure direct qualification to the 2027 World Cup.
The Stade des Alpes in Grenoble could be the setting for a historic night if Ireland can get a win against France. It’s a huge ask but after what they achieved last Friday in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, nothing is impossible for this team.
We’ll be taking you through all the action this evening, and we’ll have the team line-ups for you shortly too.
And as always, let us know your thoughts on how you think this will go.
Kick-off is at 8pm.
IRELAND: Courtney Brosnan; Aoife Mannion, Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Chloe Mustaki, Katie McCabe; Megan Connolly, Marissa Sheva, Denise O’Sullivan; Emily Murphy, Kyra Carusa.
As expected, Denise O’Sullivan and Emily Murphy come back into the side after serving their one-match bans. Ruesha Littlejohn and Abbie Larkin make way.
And here is how the hosts are setting up this evening:
FRANCE: Constance Picaud; Alice Sombath, Thiniba Samoura, Maelle Lakrar, Selma Bacha; Oriane Jean-Francois, Sakina Karchaoui, Grace Geyoro; Sandy Baltimore, Melvine Malard, Delphine Cascarino.
Essential reading before kick-off:
With just over half an hour to go, make a call on the result here:
Poll Results:
Warming Up
Just a few minutes away now as the anthems get underway.
Kick-Off! France v Republic of Ireland
2 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
And away we go as Ireland take the kick-off. They get some early passes in before France get the ball back.
Sandy Baltimore takes on Aoife Mannion and wins the free. O’Sullivan then is overzealous with a challenge and France have a free-kick just inside from the corner spot.
4 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
FRANCE CHANCE!
Nervy moment as the ball bounces up in the box but Ireland deal with it and clear the danger.
O’Sullivan then gets dispossessed and France counter quickly with Grace Geyoro letting fly with a daisy-cutter.
Brosnan reads it well though and gets down in good time to make the save.
5 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Sakina Karchaoui wins a free from O’Sullivan for having the studs up. Another chance for France from an inviting position.
6 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
France try to go short but don’t make anything of it. Ireland keeping a good shape and Caitlyn Hayes steps in with some good defending to poke the ball away.
8 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
France enjoying most of the possession in the early minutes and they push through again with another attack.
Again, Brosnan is required to make a save from Melvine Malard.
More pressure follows and France have a corner.
9 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Anna Patten positions herself well at the back post to get the header away. It’s another piece of assured defending, but Ireland need to start attacking too.
10 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Ireland have a throw in their own half and work it back to set up the attack. The ball is knocked on for O’Sullivan, but it’s just too far ahead of her and France go on the march again.
12 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
McCabe takes a throw but France mark up tightly and the ball is given away again. Delphine Cascarino puts a cross in for Mannion to get the clearance.
France then win a corner for a brilliant shot that takes a deflection off Hayes.
14 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Kyra Carusa with her first major involvement as she draws a free for a push in the back. McCabe drops it in where the ball spills to Carusa whose header is sent out for a throw.
16 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Ireland starting to spend a bit of time in the French half of the field. Carusa is muscled off the ball, but the referee waves play on.
France go forward again, but the ball comes to Patten.
18 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Ireland string some lovely passes together as they push forward. The delivery into the box doesn’t find an Ireland shirt, but that’s good creativity from Carla Ward’s side.
20 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Offside flag goes up against Malard and Brosnan thumps it up the field. Megan Connolly is under and wins a free for a foul by Karchaoui.
22 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
McCabe loops the ball in, but it’s too easy for the France goalkeeper Constance Picaud. And then a heart in the mouth moment as Emily Murphy’s back-pass almost ends up in the net.
But Brosnan is alert and gets back in plenty of time to avert the danger. Brosnan is required again moments later to leap up and claim a French cross.
25 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
FRANCE MISS!
Connolly’s loose pass sees France get the possession back. Murphy then tries to retrieve the ball, but France keep it.
Mannion does well to kill off an attack, but France get it back again. Cascarino puts it into the danger area and the ball comes to Baltimore who smacks it first time, but it goes well over the bar.
Huge let off for Ireland there.
27 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
McCabe concedes a corner by getting the toe in to put the ball out. They go short and work the ball around before Marissa Sheva gets a block to push them back.
28 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Ireland can’t get out of their own half, but they’re defending bravely. Brosnan the latest to intervene as she slides out to stop the ball and pulls her arms away as the ball rolls out of the box.
30 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Now it’s Ireland’s turn to attack. Carusa wins the ball back as Ireland work the passes up. A bit of miscommunication gives the ball back to France, and they put it out for an Ireland throw.
32 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Hayes does well to win the ball back. McCabe feeds Sheva who un turn tries to send it down the line to Murphy.
France get it back but Ireland press well and Cascarino is given a yellow card for a challenge on McCabe.
32 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Connolly stands over this one, and she tries to find Hayes on the head but it’s a free out for a foul by Carusa.
34 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
IRELAND MISS!
That’s more like it from Ireland.
Carusa gets the ball out wide from Mannion. She tries to slip it across to the incoming Murphy but the France keeper gets her body behind it.
Much more encouraging though. Ireland need to keep threatening the French.
36 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
McCabe clears the ball down the field after another France move. The play moves over and back a bit between the two sides before the ball eventually goes out for a French throw.
38 mins: France 0-0 Ireland
Ireland do brilliantly to hold their lines and force France back. Hayes then snuffs out the danger and France must build again.
The hosts are frustrated.
GOAL! France 1-0 Ireland (Melvine Malard ’39)
43 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Well, that was coming, unfortunately.
France kept coming at them and Ireland couldn’t hold them out from a corner which they go short with. It’s Melvine Malard who gives France the lead with an overhead kick and Ireland are really under pressure now if they are to get that win.
44 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
IRELAND MISS!
O’Sullivan tries one from distance while the keeper is out of her goals after a collision with Carusa over a loose pass in the France defence.
O’Sullivan probably could have done better with that shot from around the halfway line.
45 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
One minute of added time to be played and France have a throw to create another chance.
Half-Time! France 1-0 Ireland
Here’s the goal that has France in front
France 1-0 Ireland
Well, that was tough. Ireland were so close to taking a 0-0 game into the half-time break but just switched off slightly for that goal by Malard.
Carla Ward’s side really haven’t created any real chances and that half-way line chance for O’Sullivan is probably the closest we have come to getting a goal.
Ireland may decide to make changes at half-time and really try to press for that equaliser.
Second Half: France 1-0 Ireland
45 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
No changes for either side as the second half gets underway.
47 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Ball up finds O’Sullivan who tries to square her pass to Sheva but it’s well cut out. Patten then carries the ball forward Ireland get into the France penalty area where it gets a bit messy, but Ireland still have it.
50 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
FRANCE CHANCE!
Malard nearly gets in again but Mannion is back secure the ball for Ireland. Patten did well there too to slow Malard up a bit as the ball came in.
51 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Good play from Ireland after those frantic few moments. The ball comes back to Hayes who tries to find McCabe, but there’s too much on it.
54 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Karchaoui has a pop off her left outside the box. She used her footwork to stretch the Ireland defence before releasing the shot and it’s not a bad effort as it sails over.
54 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Carusa gets shoved off the ball again but Ireland don’t get the free.
58 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
O’Sullivan gets the free for being pulled back. Mannion and Connolly bring the ball across midfield, and it eventually comes up to O’Sullivan who tries to put Carusa through.
But the ball gets tangled up in her feet and France get it away.
60 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Brosnan finds Murphy who wins the ball and gets a free at the same time.
Ireland change: Jess Ziu comes in for Connolly.
61 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Ireland don’t get anything from the free as Hayes is blocked off while trying to run in. She wasn’t happy with that and the referee calls both players in and tells them to cool down.
63 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Great ball down the wing to Mannion. Maelle Lakrar blocks it out for a throw and Ireland then get a corner.
McCabe to send it in.
64 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
McCabe finds Hayes at the back who heads it back towards the goals. France get it away though.
65 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Offside flag against Malard who got in behind. The replay looks as though Mustaki was keeping her onside though but Ireland certainly won’t complain.
66 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
IRELAND MISS!
Oh, what a chance!! Mannion’s delivery is knocked down to Sheva. She shoots first time and scuffs it for Picaud to get off her line and secure the ball before Carusa can get a touch on it.
67 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
FRANCE SAVE!
Ireland are so close to getting an equaliser. A McCabe free-kick finds Patten at the back. She connects well with it, but it’s a terrific save and Ireland have a corner.
69 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Not much from that for Ireland. Hayes gets to the edge of the area of the header, but it’s well off target.
France make some changes and Ireland look like they’re getting ready to unleash Abbie Larkin who was among the goalscorers in Cork.
70 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Ireland change: Larkin replaces Carusa.
71 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Good defensive work to nip the ball away and although France come back again, the flag goes up quickly. Ireland don’t waste any time in getting going again.
72 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
FRANCE RED CARD!
And it’s Thiniba Samoura who is dismissed for a second yellow. She hauled down Murphy who was trying to chase a ball in behind. That could have a one-on-one situation if she got through.
Picaud easily gathers McCabe’s free-kick delivery.
74 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Murphy concedes a free out for a shove in the back.
76 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Hayes wins the ball back after Ireland give possession away. Ireland need to be careful with such a high line that they don’t concede again.
77 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
McCabe tries from the edge of the box, but she screws the shot completely and that’s another chance gone for Ireland as the final 10 minutes draw closer.
79 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
IRELAND MISS!
Larkin with a huge opportunity to level it there right in front of the goals after it was put on a plate for her. But she hits it right at the goalie and that’s a killer for Ireland.
81 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
More miscommunication in the Ireland defence. Brosnan was coming out to gather the ball, but Hayes gets in front of her and thumps it out for a France throw. That’s more seconds wasted there.
83 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Mannion clips the ball back to Hayes, and it’s over to Mustaki who pushes it up the line.
The flag goes up against Sheva.
83 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Ireland free-kick for a foul on McCabe. Another delivery on the way.
84 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Hayes gets the header, but she’s directly under it and the ball flies over it.
85 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
France win a free out for a challenge by Murphy in the area. Down to the last five minutes.
87 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Ireland looking a bit flat now. Their attacks don’t have the same zip as Mannion tries to put O’Sullivan through, but the ball rolls out over the end-line.
And Hayes makes a vital challenge at the other end to put the ball out for a corner. That was huge.
88 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
Brosnan claims the ball and Mannion almost gets dispossessed straight away, but she eventually peels away. Larkin gets on the end of this move and wins a free.
Ireland changes: Amber Barrett and Saoirse Noonan are in for Mannion and Sheva.
89 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
McCabe’s free is blocked away. France reclaim the ball from the Ireland, but the visitors get it back again.
89 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
The long ball in doesn’t work and France come away with it once more. Ireland get a free-kick and get it going quickly.
Three minutes of added time.
91 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
The ball flashes across the box and Larkin goes out to gather it. France counter quickly, but Patten gets the challenge in to win it back.
92 mins: France 1-0 Ireland
McCabe sends in another ball, and it comes to the French goalkeeper. That equaliser is proving so elusive.
Time is almost up.
Full-Time! France 1-0 Ireland
France 1-0 Ireland
So frustrating and yet so hopeful all at once.
Ireland had so many chances there and will be disappointed not to convert any of them. Abbie Larkin’s one was particularly agonising to watch.
And that first-half goal denies them direct qualification for the World Cup. But all is not lost as they already had a place in the play-offs secured going into this game.
Caitlyn Hayes speaking to RTÉ saying that her teammates can “hold their heads up high” after bringing a big challenge to France this evening.
Netherlands won the other game in Ireland’s A2 group, beating Poland 3-1.
That means France win the group and take that automatic qualification place. Netherlands finish in second place and Ireland take third.
Well, that’s all from us, folks.
Stick around for Emma Duffy’s match report live from Grenoble.
We hope you enjoyed tonight’s coverage, despite the disappointing results.
Until next time, good luck!
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France Minute-by-Minute Republic Of Ireland Soccer WNT World Cup 2027