In eight-second half minutes, Ireland went from leading France 1-0 for much of the game to being undone by Manchester United super substitute Melvine Malard.
Carla Ward’s side went close through a dramatic endgame – so close that a Denise O’Sullivan effort was cleared off the line at the death – but start their 2027 World Cup qualifying campaign empty-handed.
Although with huge heart, spirit and pride, and re-established belief that they can compete with the very best. (Les Bleues are ranked seventh in the world, 20 places superior. Ireland beat a much-changed side 3-1 the last time they met.)
Katie McCabe had Ireland in dreamland early on as a new record attendance of 8,218 watched at Tallaght Stadium, where the pitch was narrowed to the Fifa minimium of 64m.
But Malard’s impact ensured the top seeds avoided a nightmare opening night.
One on which Swedish referee Tess Olofsson and her officials were booed off the pitch after some questionable decisions late on.
Poland had held the Netherlands 2-2 in the earlier kick-off, to blow Group A2 wide open. And there was a sense that Ireland could add to the shock factor as they deservedly broke the deadlock in the 12th minute.
Who else, but McCabe?
Advertisement
And what a brilliant goal it was.
The Irish captain started and finished the move: she snapped in to intercept a pass intended for Kadidiatou Diani just inside the French half, found the tireless Emily Murphy, and stormed on to join her in the box. Murphy bought time brilliantly, before releasing McCabe with the deftest of touches, and she smashed home first-time.
GOAL IRELAND
🇮🇪 1-0 🇫🇷
Katie McCabe starts and finishes the move to put the Girls in Green ahead!
The Arsenal star celebrated her 32nd internatonal goal on her 102nd cap, arms outstretched, a stone’s throw from her home in Kilnamanagh.
Another trademark moment followed just after the restart, as McCabe was shown yellow card for an unfortunate challenge on Elisa De Almelda as she slipped. She appeared to pick up a knock in the process.
The goal was just rewards for Ireland’s front-footed start, in their familiar 5-3-2 shape with Courtney Brosnan, Anna Patten and Megan Connolly returning to the XI.
Player of the Match Murphy encapsulated the encouraging opening, De Almelda left with no choice but to hack her down and take the booking after she was sent through by the ever-excellent O’Sullivan in the third minute. Connolly tested Constance Picaud with the free-kick, from a central position just outside the box, but France’s second-choice goalkeeper — replacing the injured Pauline Peyraud-Magnin — batted away.
Picaud was again equal to Murphy’s first effort; the Newcastle United forward expertly controlling an Patten delivery but unable to connect properly and convert.
McCabe did just that, before all eyes turned to Ireland’s other superstar. O’Sullivan went down clutching her knee attempting to disposses a French player, and Ward was ashen-faced. The Liverpool midfield maestro has been struggling with a knee setback in recent weeks, wearing strapping as a precaution.
She was without it from the start here, but was bandaged up after that incident. Moving gingerly at times, she later signalled to the bench for its removal, and battled on for the 90.
France slowly but surely began to claw on top after the goal, but Ireland set up well and absorbed the pressure in a supreme defensive showing. Les Bleues proded and probed down the right flank, with Diani, De Alemida and captain Grace Geyoro combining to good effect. The latest installment of the Diani v McCabe rivalry was fascinating to watch, while Chelsea’s Sandy Baltimore threatened on occasion.
Yet they never really tested Brosnan, who only had to make one save from their seven first-half shots. Six were off target.
It was physical and fiery as their frustration grew, McCabe at the centre of some heated moments.
France turned to Lyon star Marie-Antoinette Katoto to lead the line at the break, and add more of an aerial threat as Caitlin Hayes repeatedly headed clear.
Just before the hour-mark, the Brighton defender almost ruled the skies at the other end but Picaud kept her back-post header from a deep McCabe free-kick out.
And the French ‘keeper had to be on her toes moments later to stop an improvised O’Sullivan flick as Kyra Carusa and Murphy did their utmost to stretch the play and profit on the counter.
With Ireland stringing chances together, French frustration mounted. Wild challenges flew in, both benches were animated.
Maëlle Lakrar and Melvine Malard celebrate. Nick Elliott / INPHO
Nick Elliott / INPHO / INPHO
Cool heads were needed in the cauldron, and Malard brought just that.
After patient build-up, the United star danced through the Irish defence with her first involvement and slotted home in the 71st minute.
She pointed to her head wheeling away in celebration.
Eight minutes later, as Irish legs and minds tired, Malard arrowed into the same right-hand corner of Brosnan’s goal.
After the hosts failed to clear a corner, Baltimore’s initial effort cannoned off her own player in the box before the ball fell to Malard. Her first shot was blocked down, but she made no mistake with the second to silence Tallaght.
Two shots on target, two goals.
Related Reads
Carla Ward: 'I'm gutted, I feel like someone's stabbed me in the heart'
'I don’t think you’ll find a nation who work as hard as we do'
Abbie Larkin and Amber Barrett tried to rival Malard’s stunning impact at the other end as a dramatic endgame unfolded.
It was fraught and tense and exciting and controvesy-laden as Ireland threw the kitchen sink at it via a series of McCabe corners.
At one stage, Sakina Karchaoui appeared to have handled the ball in the area, but referee Olofsson waved play on with no VAR in operation.
Full-time: 🇮🇪 1-2 🇫🇷
Ireland are so unlucky to see a late Denise O'Sullivan effort cleared off the line
Brosnan’s presence in the box added to the drama, with pinball ensuing. While Malard takes the headlines, it was her strike partner Katoto who saved the day, heading O’Sullivan’s last-gasp shot clear. Right place, right time.
France celebrated at the final whistle, and Ireland will feel that’s one that got away.
They must now park it quickly, before facing Netherlands in Utrecht on Saturday.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
3 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Man United super sub stars as Ireland undone by France in opening World Cup qualifier
Republic of Ireland 1
France 2
A NIGHT THAT started so brightly ended in agony.
So close, yet so far.
In eight-second half minutes, Ireland went from leading France 1-0 for much of the game to being undone by Manchester United super substitute Melvine Malard.
Carla Ward’s side went close through a dramatic endgame – so close that a Denise O’Sullivan effort was cleared off the line at the death – but start their 2027 World Cup qualifying campaign empty-handed.
Although with huge heart, spirit and pride, and re-established belief that they can compete with the very best. (Les Bleues are ranked seventh in the world, 20 places superior. Ireland beat a much-changed side 3-1 the last time they met.)
Katie McCabe had Ireland in dreamland early on as a new record attendance of 8,218 watched at Tallaght Stadium, where the pitch was narrowed to the Fifa minimium of 64m.
But Malard’s impact ensured the top seeds avoided a nightmare opening night.
One on which Swedish referee Tess Olofsson and her officials were booed off the pitch after some questionable decisions late on.
Poland had held the Netherlands 2-2 in the earlier kick-off, to blow Group A2 wide open. And there was a sense that Ireland could add to the shock factor as they deservedly broke the deadlock in the 12th minute.
Who else, but McCabe?
And what a brilliant goal it was.
The Irish captain started and finished the move: she snapped in to intercept a pass intended for Kadidiatou Diani just inside the French half, found the tireless Emily Murphy, and stormed on to join her in the box. Murphy bought time brilliantly, before releasing McCabe with the deftest of touches, and she smashed home first-time.
The Arsenal star celebrated her 32nd internatonal goal on her 102nd cap, arms outstretched, a stone’s throw from her home in Kilnamanagh.
Another trademark moment followed just after the restart, as McCabe was shown yellow card for an unfortunate challenge on Elisa De Almelda as she slipped. She appeared to pick up a knock in the process.
The goal was just rewards for Ireland’s front-footed start, in their familiar 5-3-2 shape with Courtney Brosnan, Anna Patten and Megan Connolly returning to the XI.
Player of the Match Murphy encapsulated the encouraging opening, De Almelda left with no choice but to hack her down and take the booking after she was sent through by the ever-excellent O’Sullivan in the third minute. Connolly tested Constance Picaud with the free-kick, from a central position just outside the box, but France’s second-choice goalkeeper — replacing the injured Pauline Peyraud-Magnin — batted away.
Picaud was again equal to Murphy’s first effort; the Newcastle United forward expertly controlling an Patten delivery but unable to connect properly and convert.
McCabe did just that, before all eyes turned to Ireland’s other superstar. O’Sullivan went down clutching her knee attempting to disposses a French player, and Ward was ashen-faced. The Liverpool midfield maestro has been struggling with a knee setback in recent weeks, wearing strapping as a precaution.
She was without it from the start here, but was bandaged up after that incident. Moving gingerly at times, she later signalled to the bench for its removal, and battled on for the 90.
France slowly but surely began to claw on top after the goal, but Ireland set up well and absorbed the pressure in a supreme defensive showing. Les Bleues proded and probed down the right flank, with Diani, De Alemida and captain Grace Geyoro combining to good effect. The latest installment of the Diani v McCabe rivalry was fascinating to watch, while Chelsea’s Sandy Baltimore threatened on occasion.
Yet they never really tested Brosnan, who only had to make one save from their seven first-half shots. Six were off target.
It was physical and fiery as their frustration grew, McCabe at the centre of some heated moments.
France turned to Lyon star Marie-Antoinette Katoto to lead the line at the break, and add more of an aerial threat as Caitlin Hayes repeatedly headed clear.
Just before the hour-mark, the Brighton defender almost ruled the skies at the other end but Picaud kept her back-post header from a deep McCabe free-kick out.
And the French ‘keeper had to be on her toes moments later to stop an improvised O’Sullivan flick as Kyra Carusa and Murphy did their utmost to stretch the play and profit on the counter.
With Ireland stringing chances together, French frustration mounted. Wild challenges flew in, both benches were animated.
Cool heads were needed in the cauldron, and Malard brought just that.
After patient build-up, the United star danced through the Irish defence with her first involvement and slotted home in the 71st minute.
She pointed to her head wheeling away in celebration.
Eight minutes later, as Irish legs and minds tired, Malard arrowed into the same right-hand corner of Brosnan’s goal.
After the hosts failed to clear a corner, Baltimore’s initial effort cannoned off her own player in the box before the ball fell to Malard. Her first shot was blocked down, but she made no mistake with the second to silence Tallaght.
Two shots on target, two goals.
Abbie Larkin and Amber Barrett tried to rival Malard’s stunning impact at the other end as a dramatic endgame unfolded.
It was fraught and tense and exciting and controvesy-laden as Ireland threw the kitchen sink at it via a series of McCabe corners.
At one stage, Sakina Karchaoui appeared to have handled the ball in the area, but referee Olofsson waved play on with no VAR in operation.
Brosnan’s presence in the box added to the drama, with pinball ensuing. While Malard takes the headlines, it was her strike partner Katoto who saved the day, heading O’Sullivan’s last-gasp shot clear. Right place, right time.
France celebrated at the final whistle, and Ireland will feel that’s one that got away.
They must now park it quickly, before facing Netherlands in Utrecht on Saturday.
IRELAND: Courtney Brosnan; Aoife Mannion, Anna Patten, Caitlin Hayes, Chloe Mustaki, Katie McCabe; Megan Connolly (Amber Barrett 85); Denise O’Sullivan, Marissa Sheva; Kyra Carusa (Abbie Larkin 69), Emily Murphy.
FRANCE: Constance Picaud; Elisa De Almeida (Melween N’Dongala HT), Thiniba Samoura, Maelle Lakrar, Perle Morroni (Melvine Malard 69); Grace Geyoro (captain), Oriane Jean-Francois (Anais Ebayilin 86), Sakina Kachaoui; Kadidatou Diani (Alice Sombath 86), Clara Mateo (Marie-Antoinette Katoto HT), Sandy Baltimore.
Referee: Tess Olofsson (Sweden).
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
2027 World Cup qualifiers Football France Ireland Match Report Soccer