Match Replay: France v Republic of Ireland Match of the Day

Hello, this is Jonathan Pearce in Lyon where unchained Ireland's try

to make history by knocking out France. The bookies don't give them

a chance, but some of the French press do. The quarterfinals at

stake. -- unchanged island. France revert to their strongest line-up.

Kante, Payet, Matuidi were arrested in the last game. They have had six

days training for this game. -- were rested for the last game.

The referee took the 2014 World Cup final, and here, England against

Russia. Ireland have just -- had just three

days training for this and in this stifling heat they won't be able to

press as intensely or for as long as they did against Italy. They are

unchanged. Shane Long ran Laurent Koscielny ragged, scoring two for

Southampton against Arsenal this season.

Mark, word from you before we start? I feel everything is stacked against

Ireland. You say about the amount of time the French have had, probably

ten against one in terms of supporters in the stadium, and the

weather is hot. They will not be bothered one iota. They will be up

for this fight. The temperature in the stadium around 23 Celsius, 73

Fahrenheit. Down on the pitch it will be more intense than that. A

beautiful, sunny day. Outside this futuristic stadium, in the green

Fields of France, the red poppies dance, and that will not be the only

Irish song being sung here if they can pull off one of the great

international upsets. Cana Ireland do to France what they

did to Italy? A Captain's summons from Seamus Coleman. What a day for

him. He led that hug in the middle. And the boys in green, the green

shirts, will get us under way, kicking from left to right in this

first half. Back to the captain. Coleman. Into

McCarthy, who has started all three games and has gone off in all three.

Had the injury problem at the end of the domestic season. Richard Keogh

and Duffy staying in at centre-back. Ward, who injured his ankle in the

first half against Italy, but shot -- soldiered on. An early field of

the ball for Darren Randolph. -- feel. And ever present in the finals

and very much now the Republic number one. Duffy of Blackburn

Rovers. They will need him in the air against Giroud. On by Murphy.

Rami came to claim it but didn't get there.

Early cross, Rami has slipped. Murphy. Can Shane Long get the shot

away? He tumbles, and it's a penalty to Ireland. Such a clumsy challenge.

No protest from the French. Sensational start.

Completely got tangled up in each other's feet. Paul Pogba, in that

area that sort of challenge is so risky.

Very similar penalty that he'd immediately get -- conceded against

Romania. The referee has made Robbie Brady

wait a long time, the man who scored the goal against Italy to bring

Ireland to this stage has the responsibility so early in the game.

One minute and 50 seconds played. Brady to stun the French, the host.

Yes, he does! Off the post, but it doesn't matter. A stunning start.

That is absolutely fantastic. And along the way, in terms of getting

the cross in, how well did Stephen Ward do? Absolutely brilliant. Just

abject panic in the French penalty area. We said before that they have

a weakness at the back and it's been proven already so early in the game.

Inexperience inside his own penalty area. Off the post and in. Doesn't

matter, you don't save it. The post and in from one of the best players

in the tournament. He has had a cracking Euro 2016, and all French

eyes will be on Pogba. A big debate in France for the last two and a

half weeks has concerned Pogba. Should he or shouldn't he start? The

other thing is, how easily did Murphy outjump Rami?

The sooner Shane Long went for it, the French were jittery. Evra, back

with him there. -- as soon as Shane Long went for it. Payet will take

the corner kick. Griezmann has gone in the six yard box. Rami up from

the back, and Koscielny, and Giroud. Pogba on the edge of the area,

trying to redeem himself. Evra is in there as well. Referee wants a word.

Why do they even bother? They run back and just get at it again.

That's the way it is. In towards Rami. Good defending by Richard

Keogh. Kante. In came Pogba. Back by Koscielny.

Still the danger, Griezmann, such a talented player. That was done

calmly, to Randolph. That was one of the most fiercely contested corners

I have seen in the tournament. What a start.

Ireland have only scored once against France since October 1981,

and it came in that hotly contested second leg qualifier in 2009.

Griezmann. He has had an in and out sort of tournament.

Murphy was beaten by Rami. Back into the squad because of the injury to

the rain. -- Varane. The French supporters trying to

rally their team. It looks like Pogba is playing on

the left. They have had to sort of mix and amend. Because Matuidi is

better suited to play on the left-hand side for PSG, but Pogba

wants to play there. Matuidi has had to play on the right-hand side and

there has been criticism of that in the print media. Serious questions

about the ability of their national team to stay in the competition, and

at the moment they are 1-0 down. They are right. Pogba, good run.

Payet, Griezmann behind him. Evra is available. The cross came in,

suspicion of handball and the referee played no advantage. Now he

gives the handball. It was handball as well. McCarthy.

I don't know what that was about. The replay did not show the

handball. It came in and hit him. James McCarthy, born in Glasgow.

This is certainly a free kick that should suit Payet.

The world does its job -- the wall. They should deal with this. They do.

Well done. You are absolutely right. The goalkeeper takes his position

from where the wall and is make sure he can see it. That was rather easy

in the end. Darren Randolph will not be holding onto the ball for too

long. He had a long period out of the team, but the last three games

for West Ham, Adrian was injured. Here is Pogba. Slip says Manning

gets in the cross. Griezmann. Great play from Pogba. He was almost

forced out towards the Exeter the stadium but somehow managed to get

his cross in. He's brilliant here. Griezmann, 32 goals for Atletico

Madrid. All the way to be the Champions League runners-up. Nine in

his last 13. Just the one here. Rami, tussling with Daryl Murphy, at

six foot three. Did a good job against the Italians. Payet.

Griezmann. Matuidi has it again. A rude

awakening for the hosts. Ireland's early goal. In the second minute, at

that. Corner kick to France. It's going to

be in examination down Ireland's right here. Seamus Coleman is in for

a busy day with Pogba and Evra. Payet with the corner. Rami attacks

the near post. Maybe got a touch. Cleared away. Only getting it to the

halfway line. He looks a bit nervy, Evra. Gave the

ball away, then a stupid tackle. As they came out to warm up before

kick-off, I thought their faces were tight and tense, especially the

goalkeeper. They looked nervy. Big pressure on them.

David Bowie, under pressure. Showing your age. Evra felt -- felt he was

fouled. McCarthy. Long. He thought Coleman was coming

on to win. McCarthy Anjou Ryu there. -- and Giroud there.

Giroud must have known what to expect today. For Ireland, it is

virtually a second knockout tie in four days. The first one against

Italy was win or bust, but this is a genuine knockout game. He has had

plenty of experience of FA Cup ties against opponents like the Irish.

Comes a long way to win that, but he did well. Payet. Matuidi. Think he

wants to come left. Payet. Good switch. Sagna, who has got

stronger as the tournament has gone on. Griezmann. A good spell here for

France. Antoine Griezmann. Brilliant header away. Saved his team, Shane

Duffy, because Giroud was hovering. Nice strength in the air, Shane

Duffy, really attacks the ball well. Switch allegiance from Northern

Ireland in 2010, Shane Duffy. I think that comes off Giroud. Just so

lively in there. It feels like there is 20 players in there. It is a late

lead. He was stretching all the time. -- late lead. So strong in the

campaign. It's only his fifth International. Made his debut last

month against Costa Rica, then was recalled in March. Had a brilliant

against Switzerland. -- a brilliant game.

Pogba. That is easy for Ireland to deal with. Shane Long, at the

moment, he is having to play the right side of midfield because

Hendrick is tucked in a little bit. There is a danger that Seamus

Coleman might be overrun in terms of numbers. France are unbeaten in

seven, winning six of them, going back to November when they played

England. They have only ever lost once in Lille, that was in 1968.

This is a brand-new stadium, of course. Ward. Payet sucked Coleman

in. He felt he was fouled and pulled back.

There is an undertone in this game, it's great. Proper game of football.

If you want to fight Ireland, if you are French, you won't win. I bet

Didier Deschamps said to them, don't get sucked into a boxing match. Too

late. His team are ahead at the moment. See what he said, put it in

there. He knows they can cause problems.

The odd couple's team are ahead. Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane.

Hesitating before housing -- running on an pressurising his man. Good

decision. Griezmann. Chased by Brady and plenty of pace, Griezmann. That

is why McCarthy is in the team. Has the legs to get across and cover.

You watch those games yesterday, this has started at 100 mph, faster

than all of the games yesterday. This is what knockout football

should be about. Not playing for penalties. An early goal has helped.

France came here having topped the group, topping a group that the

first time since 2004. -- for the first time. Lloris comes to punch as

Along comes in. -- Long. Unbeaten in 15 games at major tournaments at

home, France. But they note -- know that the French defence looks a bit

suspect, those Ireland fans. I bumped into a fair few fans who

have been here from the start from the Republic. They are a bit weary,

I think it is fair to say. One third of the Republic of Ireland watched

the game against Italy. Astonishing. And nice phase of play for Ireland.

The hectic nature has died down a bit. That suits them.

Trying to make space for himself. Matuidi comes across from the

left-hand side. Shane Long goes back in and fouls Ogbonna. -- fouls

Pogba. He will be worried about the

physicality from Shane Long, that is for sure. Payet. He had a substitute

role against Switzerland but looked so much brighter when he came on.

Giroud is currently standing offside.

In it comes, flicked on by Griezmann. Good ball in, wasn't it?

Good touch by Griezmann. Again, Randolph in the perfect position.

This will give the Republic of Ireland a chance to get some liquid,

because it is baking hot and they will take any chance to refresh

themselves. I remember being in Orlando in 1994 in the World Cup

when Jack Charlton and John Aldridge went barmy at the referee who would

not allow substitutions to be made and let fluid be taken on board. I

picked not get up and put anyone off, but I did it in my trunks in

that game. It was that hot. The humidity was off the scale. A bit

too much information, even for me. Sorry. I am the delicate nature, as

know. -- as you know. Brilliant player, Pogba. He might

not be having the greatest tournament here that if you are

lucky enough to have seen him for Juventus this season, he really has

sparkled at times. And he's young, of course, only 23. Well claimed by

Koscielny. McCarthy, good header. Intelligently played to Murphy.

Hendrick, who's had a good tournament. McCarthy. Very bright

early on to the Republic of Ireland. That is a lovely ball. Stephen Ward.

The Dubliner goes beyond his man. And he gets it back again from James

McClean. They just keep it simple, get a

chance to cross it, then cross it. Stephen Ward, once of Bohemians. Now

at Burnley. Looking for Murphy. Got away from his man so easily.

Hendrick, back to the goalkeeper, but another chance for the Republic

of Ireland. Again, from a ball in the penalty area, a throw this time.

Abject panic. It's very difficult for a manager as

well, in the case of Didier Deschamps if your defenders are

skittish. It's all very well saying you must do this and that, you are

not in the middle of it. They have badly missed Varane. Payet.

Griezmann out wide. Hendrick needed to win it. Kante closing quickly.

Gets it back again from Brady. Sagna is on the overlap, doesn't use him.

Straight at the goalkeeper. The that is probably three quarters

saves he's made. He better get used to it, Darren Randolph. Still has to

save it. Really good save in the end. He can't believe it. -- believe

it. I just hope Ireland can keep this up

in the way that they are harrying the French. It is a big ask, that.

That is a foul. The only thing good about this, it may be too far for

Monsieur Payet. Not sure you should issue that type of challenge. The

player will want to take it. Scored three in the friendly matches they

played between the European Championships and this World Cup. An

absolute belter against Cameroon. And the winning goal against

Romania. It is going to be Pogba. It is so hot here, the referee 's spray

completely disappears before the free kick is taken. Pogba, good

effort. Well positioned, Darren Randolph. He looks a bit angry. Not

a lot he could do about that. It is a good save and a great strike. He

read it well. Pogba without a goal for France since October.

Rummy. -- Ramey. They had not allowed opponents are shot on target

in 205 minutes of action in these finals. The only shots on target

have been the Rumanian penalty and then, again, today, a penalty. Payet

is still down. That is not the type of ball to playing Giroud, as well.

-- to play in. Yellow for Seamus Coleman for the foul on Payet. Needs

to be careful. Can't argue with that.

The raffle. McCarthy, Coleman and Ward came into the game on yellow

cards. Rami. He was recalled to the sound

the -- recalled to the side because of an injury to Varane. Griezmann

dropping deep to play make. He took that across his body, Matuidi.

Square pegs and round holes. He doesn't want to be there. It is to

accommodate Pogba. Kante. Didn't get there. Republic of Ireland had

cover. Coleman. Duffy. McClean. Yellow. Kante. That's him out of the

next round. Might not be in it! It is fair to say that the flop was the

Africa will. -- theatrical. All the way through. Even then,

Duffy almost got on the end of that. Just panic every time it comes in

their from the French. Duffy had that terrible injury in training, he

severed and artery in his liver. He had just changed allegiance. He lost

pints and pints of blood. The Republic of Ireland in their

first ever knockout game in the European Championships lead the

hosts. Fields of Athenrye being heard. It has such meaning for

Republic of Ireland fans. Very popular with mutual fans here in

France as well. From Dublin to Galway, they all sing the song. It's

a physical encounter. Yes, great! Both going for the ball. Exactly the

same time. It tells you all you need to know about the boots, sorry,

slippers. This is crucial for Ireland. I don't think anyone could

do the job for them that Shane Long does for them. France have got at

full-back. He seems to have come off worse.

He is a toughie, Shane Long. The French President, Francois Hollande.

He's been at all the games. All the French games! Not too much cheer in

that crowd, is that was matter I was getting confident with my schoolboy

French the other day and have a John please moment. I had no idea what he

was saying. -- John Cleese. The Irish fans were singing. That was a

terrible ball from Rami. Long seems to be moving OK. He is a toughie.

Certainly is. Joe Kenny boy. -- Kilkenny.

Taken aback, stealing too many yards. -- taking it back.

I am not sure that it was from there, by the way. Stealing the same

amount of yards, as Martin O'Neill has just pointed out.

Up goes Murphy. Pressure from Hendrik on Kante. He has had a good

tournament, a really good tournament, the Derby County player.

He has come of age. One of a number of Dubliners in the side. Saint

Kevin 's boys club, he used to play for. I'm not sure about that, that

is two threes and a six. He had his hand on his shirt. Having done the

hard work. And the referee gave it. Martin O'Neill in the press playing

down talk of Ireland gunning for revenge for the Thierry Henry

handball. He will be worried about this. Hendrik has got a knock on the

fly. -- Hendrick. He missed eight of the last nine Derby County games

with a thigh problem last season. He was rapped by Pogba. Watch list now.

He played every minute of the last seven qualifying games to get

Ireland to France, where they lead the French. France then to get

stronger in the second period of games. Dangerous. Richard Keogh was

up there. Two defenders giving security in the

box. Jeff Hendrick is down again. This looks worrying. The referee had

a word with Darren Randolph for taking his time over the goalkick.

But Randolph knew that Jeff Hendrick was down. Talking of security in the

stadium, intensified before the game because the French President is

here, there was a double ring of steel, sharpshooters on the roof,

Armed Forces. Problem here for Hendrick. Stating the obvious, it

was a kick, but it did not seem that bad. Normally if it is just a knock,

you can run it off. That's the sound of 40 5000-50,000 I rate French

fans. -- irate. Didier Deschamps. They are going absolutely mad here.

He is taking his time to go off. He is limping. What do they want?

I think he's going to try and come back on, Hendrick. On comes

Hendrick. Giroud isolated. He is just getting caught, they are both

just fighting him, Duffy and Keogh. Ramey gets underneath Murphy. --

Rami. Ten minutes ago in this half. Crucial for Ireland that they it

like this. Griezmann allowed to turn. That is dangerous. Good cover

by Duffy, coming to meet the ball. James McClean off and speeding down

the left-hand side. That is the first time we have seen McClean

getting away from Sagna, who was daydreaming. Rami did really well.

Griezmann. Free kick to France again. At the moment they are just

absolutely rattled. They seriously are. That was a poor decision by

Payet. Here is Rami. Good decision by the referee and a quick throw

into Murphy. He played the percentages. McClean. Hendrick is in

the middle, Shane Long arriving the. Shane Long, superbly done. I thought

that he had forced a corner, but Evra kept it in. I make that the

best first touch of the tournament from Shane Long. It was the

assistant referee who gave the corner. What is in front of the goal

line referee? Touch, this. Unbelievable. Hawk-Eye will tell us

when the ball is out of play. If they give him a shot of it. Corner

sailing in to the hands of lorries. -- Lloris. Giving him a free ride

just to come and catch it. Ireland are the Lake show expert at these

finals. The Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill will be

delighted to see that. Great pressure from McClean. He has ran up

and down, up and down. Long pressures Evra. He knew he was

there. Shane Long holding his thigh again. Some bumps and bruises out

there. It's all right if that is what they are. It is strains and

Paul's... -- pulls. Payet. Under pressure and squeezes

it away to a great roar from the crowd. Good decision, referee. The

ball was kicked away by Shane Long, and he has got a yellow card for it.

Was it Hendrick? Hendrick was fouled. What has he given a yellow

card for? I thought it might have been because Shane Long kick the

ball away. His shoulders are slumping because he's on a yellow

card already anyway. And each year was there. Good pressure in the air.

-- Richard here was there. They just look so disjointed defensively,

France. Duffy 's header it was. That is a push by Giroud. Not given.

Brady has done well for the public of Ireland again. Shane Long.

Challenged by Kashani. The player with Stephen Ward arriving on the

overlap. Pressure on Hugo Lloris. Some football former Republic of

Ireland. Pogba. -- for -- from there.

Yellow card, play on. Coleman. Ireland getting up a head of steam

again. He is embarrassed. He has got to watch it. There is just no clear

pattern from the French, seem unsure what they are trying to do at the

moment. Ireland know exactly what they are doing in every situation,

but not the French. They have gone through to this stage with moments

of individual brilliance, the French, rather than a wonderful team

plan. Pogba, with Griezmann in the middle. It ends up just behind him,

and given away by McCarthy. That has got to be a yellow, surely. It is.

Long, hurt again. Rami, his second card of the competition. Didier

Deschamps a perplexed man. As he sits there with his assistant, who

was there with him at Marseille. They just cannot get any continuity

in their play at all, the French. The French midfield players are

keeping their heads down when they get the ball, they are anticipating

the challenge coming in, and they are not being disappointed. Part of

the game plan is that they come up against these French players in the

Premier League every week, the Republic of Ireland players to play

at that level. No Griezmann Matuidi, but the rest of them... Pogba, who

gave away the penalty. Pogba holds off the challenge from

Brady and goes again. Strength and purpose. That is that ball again.

Griezmann tried to play Giroud in. He is not that type of player. He

has no acceleration whatsoever, to get in there, Giroud. His possible

replacement has been Gignac, who is not that type of player. They might

put Griezmann through their later. Absolutely. That is what a lot of

the French press have been calling for. Murphy stays down on his

haunches. They have put in some effort, the Republic of Ireland.

Payet skips away. Payet takes the extra touch the work the angle.

Griezmann, good block. The Republic of Ireland throwing bodies in the

way. I think it was Duffy who got in the way. Matuidi is in space on the

far corner of the box. Evra. Four menace of stoppage time. Griezmann

into the box. Again they try and play in a Giroud. He wasn't

expecting it. He was on his heels. This is a poor cross. They get

themselves in a bit of a mess, Ireland, but boy, do they get bodies

on their way. 56,279, the Crown. Probably 50,000 French in here. At

the moment it is the green clad Republic of Ireland supporters who

have the advantage. Griezmann is allowed to turn again.

Payet. Not many bookies would have had

this. 9/1 outsiders, the Republic of Ireland for this game. Now the

French are having to go long. Their victory against Italy the

other night was their first since 1988 here against England. Other

famous victories 1- the Republic of Ireland. In qualifying against

Germany -- 1-0 for the Republic of Ireland.

That was won by Murphy, but going nowhere.

We have already had three minutes nearly of the four additional

minutes. Keogh. I would pay to be in the French

dressing room at half-time to hear what Didier Deschamps says to his

players. Giroud's header to Bognor. Hendrick is doubling up. Still got

the cross in. -- two Pogba. Away by big Shane Duffy.

Didier Deschamps, half-time in the 1998 World Cup final, he rattled

into the team and got them going. And they won that, and he will

rattle into them as manager, and he will need to. Because at the moment,

it is 1-0 for the boys in green. France making a change at half-time.

Kingsley Coman is coming on for Angola can take, the Leicester City

player, who has had a yellow card -- N'Golo Kante. If they go through, he

will be suspended for the next round. Tactically, that makes a real

change. Coman is a flier who will come onto the right-hand side. I

imagine it means that Pogba will play in a slightly deeper role, and

Matuidi will move to his more natural left-hand side. It will look

more like a 4-4-2 formation for France as Coman comes on for his

fourth appearance of the finals. They've had to do something, and

they have done it. Off we go in the second half, France

or in blue and they have made the change with Kingsley Coman on for

Matuidi. -- all in blue. Kingsley Coman on for Kante, I should say.

Matuidi has moved to his more natural left-hand side. Pogba is

tucked in on the right-hand side. Payet nominally on the right but

more of a 4-4-2 player coming in. That is Sagna.

In two Pogba. What do you think of the change? You should get Pogba and

Matuidi to play as a too, to be honest with you. You know about

Coman, he gives them natural width, rather than Bacary Sagna. Pogba.

Brilliant. Wonderful bit of play. Griezmann. Sagna.

Away by Shane Long. He was bumped and bruised in the first half. Evra.

It is important for Ireland to keep pushed up as much as possible. Nine

of France's last ten European Championship goals have been scored

after half-time. That is a worry for Ireland. The sun has dipped behind

the ground, which is good news that Ireland. Shane Long went through the

gap, but he slipped. He's unlucky. He would have been favourite to get

that. Payet, taking on Coleman. They will need to double up in there.

Free kick given against the Irish skipper. Brings him a yellow card. A

crunching run between two defenders, that becomes a collision, and they

will always get the foul. There will not be many more in the game for

Seamus Coleman. He has got to watch it. Randolph wants to win the wall.

-- two in the wall. In it comes. Delicately done, a

little flick man Pogba arriving at the far post, and heading wide was

Koscielny. You should always expect it, that is why you are in there.

Just seemed to react a little bit late, Koscielny. There was a touch

of Stephen Ward, was there? His last goal for France came against

Scotland, Laurent Koscielny. He did actually play every game in the warm

up stages. Brady. Murphy, good work, really

good football. Long will hold and wait for support. Hendrick is the

dummy. Good stuff from the Republic of Ireland. Here is Murphy. But it

ended there. Could have got the ball wide to James McClean.

He has paced, Kingsley Coman. Ashley has paced. Giroud. Coman goes to the

left -- he has pace. Coleman against Coman. And no winner. Didier

Deschamps with a big gamble here. Will he be remembered for all of the

great things he has done for France, the manager? They have certainly

come out with a different attitude in the second half, the French. Much

more energy. Gambled the priceless legacy of his footballing past on

one decision, Didier Deschamps to he may be remembered for that awful

decision if it doesn't pay off. Not the only one, this week.

Pogba. Battling in there with Brady. How about that? Pogba has come out,

and the French crowd loved it. Matuidi. Payet.

Didn't know where the ball had gone, Giroud fouled his man. And he

complains. Definitely used his arm. You can see Griezmann there, when he

played for Germany against France last year his sister was in Le

Bataclan, the scene of that terrible terrorist outrage. She got away.

McCarthy underneath it. Griezmann won it. Duffy. Brady can turn into

space. Murphy, cutely done. Hendrick, came to his left side.

James McClean, Murphy getting across his man. Nearly came to Shane Long

and it is just pushed away by Lloris. Great saving the end, he has

to make the decision, Lloris, as the ball comes across the box. Good

football by the Republic of Ireland. France look good at the moment.

They do look strong, the French, but they don't get enough numbers in the

box. There is only Giroud. Payet goes the goal. -- for goal.

I just think at the moment, they are just playing in front of Ireland,

which is great for them. This is a good save. A strong left-hand as

well. In the corridor of uncertainty.

You sense that Shane Long was ready to pounce. He saved his country,

Lloris. His 79th appearance, and a record-breaking 55th appearance as

captain. Here is James McClean. Rather caught betwixt and between.

Sagna has had a very good game for France. Pogba, long, leggy and

always willing to carry. Payet. He goes inside Coleman. The shot was

well blocked by McCarthy. Longer could not get beyond Evra.

Matuidi is there. Shane Long with the challenge. He is so game, isn't

he? Works his socks off. Jeff Hendrick was cautioned for

kicking the ball away, and that means he will miss a potential

quarterfinal with England in Paris, the winners of that England and

Iceland game. Giroud. If it does not come off for

him soon, the French fans might turn on Olivier Giroud. Not their son.

I'm surprised he started. Benzema may have been here, and Valbuena was

also left out because of the scurrilous goings-on. Many people

think that Hatem Ben Arfa should have been here. We had a great

season with Marseille. But the tournament came fast and furious. No

one can deny his workrate. Pogba. There is not great movement in front

of the French ball-carriers. Matuidi and Griezmann had to stretch. Cut

out by Keogh. Rock-solid again at the back for the Republic of

Ireland. A chance for Matuidi. Good save,

Darren Randolph. Fortunately he had a good sighting of the shot. The

French are getting closer. Can Ireland hold on?

A fourth French corner. Taken short by Poyet. Long was there. -- Payet.

Got away with one, Ireland, they just fell asleep. Matuidi with a

dialling -- diving header. Dimitri Payet. Keogh again.

Pogba, slipping it to Griezmann, who was unaware. He glared at Paul

Pogba. The thing with Matuidi and Pogba,

who is going to sit? There could be a chance for an Ireland counter. The

answer is nobody. Longer by Pogba. Didier Deschamps has taken a real

chance ear. -- here. A good tournament. The only played

15 times for West Ham this season. -- he's only played.

Pogba did not get a shout from Rami that Murphy was there. And the

French are bickering between themselves. Matuidi, strong as an

ox. Always has been. He got there first. Coman, back to Griezmann.

Payet. He picks a pass and brings in Sagna. Looking for Giroud, looking

for Griezmann, looking for the equaliser and they have got it.

Just shy of the hour. He has looked busy at the start of the second

half. Yes, I think it was the first decent cross he has hit. Out of his

feet, great ball in and just freed up the space for Griezmann. It is a

really good cross to the centre of the goal. Nobody near him.

Danger signs are flashing for Ireland now.

The pressure on Didier Deschamps is absolutely immense. But the hosts

are right back in it. And the pendulum has swung.

It would just be interesting now to see if the French play with the same

intensity now they are level in the game. That is a flag.

He has had a great season, Griezmann. They have missed a trick,

the French hosts, they had given out the flags to all of the supporters

in the games. Very colourful, very passionate. Far more passionate than

it was at this stage in 1998. Hendrick with the throw, and allowed

to go. Mistake by Pogba and it comes back out to board. He thought it

deflected off Sagna. It did! How can they not see that, the officials?

The flight of the ball! Crikey! It was Rami, not Sagna. You can see off

the flight of the ball that it went off someone.

Griezmann. He arcs in the cross, too high for Coman. Brady, who is tired.

Payet. That was a poor header and a poor clearing header that would

Ireland in danger yet again. I think Martin O'Neill might be thinking

about making a change. Fresh legs. A few players had knocks in the first

half. 15 efforts in the game by France.

In the World Cup of 1990, in Rome, when the hearts were broken for

Ireland by the hosts by Schillaci. The Irish have said that if they

could win this one, it would be an even greater runs at the last eight.

They still have to win it though. Giroud. Griezmann, in space to

finish it. It has all turned around. Antoine Griezmann. He is the break

of Irish hearts. -- the breaker. Two goals in three minutes, and the man

of the moment in French football. Ireland sliced apart.

I think this is a gift. Watch when the ball comes in. Two players go

towards him. The second of those players should basically be where

Griezmann makes the run. Brilliantly finished. Yes, it is a

good finish. Three goals in this competition for Griezmann now.

Always tipped to be the top scorer of Euro 2016, and the president,

France was Holland -- Francois Hollande. He is amongst the

supporters. First mistake that Duffy and Keogh

have made in the game, really. In their, look at the little enclave

of green and white supporters looking and standing still. I bet

their ears are bleeding. All around the stadium there are little pockets

of green, in stunned silence. And here comes an Irish substitution.

Sagna takes the throw, and Jon Walters will be on in a minute.

Duffy. Away by Pogba. It was a big decision by Didier Deschamps on but

it has paid off. I think Giroud has a problem. He is holding his knee.

A ball in the air by Keogh. James McClean cannot challenge Brit. Rami.

If they can get the ball back inside that French penalty area it could be

trouble, but another French goal would certainly spell doom. Duffy

has won it. Here is McCarthy. Hendrick has gone very quiet. He is

on a yellow card and he picked up an injury in the first half. I think

there are a few who have gone quiet. Murphy, certainly. Pogba, brilliant

weight on the pass. Coleman is there. And he got there. Brilliant

defending. Hendrick. Brady. Ward who's had a good game. Just a

different dynamic for Ireland because they are having to force the

game. Ireland, but the first time in the

game, since the second minute. McLean has gone beyond Rami. James

McClean with a pull-back. Steered away by Koscielny, who glares at his

centre-back partner. James McClean had option. Great opportunity. And

you never know in this game. You might not get a better one. Too easy

for Koscielny to read it. Murphy arriving at the back post. Here

comes the Republic of Ireland substitution, and it will be Murphy

you goes off. On comes Jon Walters, some fresh legs. What they do well

now is to stick Shane Long through the middle or Walters. Play the

opening game for only an hour and a suffered a recurrence of the

Achilles injury he got before the tournament. Griezmann. Giroud to

pressurise Keogh, and he did it well. Griezmann is away and on a

hat-trick. Antoine Griezmann into the penalty area. Drawdown. Oh, no.

Duffy will have to go, will he? Yes, he does. France say it was a

penalty. I don't think the referee knows, I really don't. My first view

made me think it was just outside. But he had to go, it was a lunge. It

is outside. And it has gone horribly wrong for

the Republic of Ireland. In fairness to Giroud, he did brilliantly for

Griezmann. Had a good game. He was brilliant against Italy. You just

never know in football, do you? In a matter of minutes, the game can

change so quickly he does well, Giroud. He has his head up, looks,

slots it into Griezmann. You have got to make the challenge. It has

been a horrible eight minutes for the Republic of Ireland.

Griezmann to the right of the ball, Payet to the left. Ireland came with

a dream and songs to sing. Argumentative in the wall. Not sure

what Bob was doing there. He was almost on his hands and knees. --

what Pogba was doing. He has done this before, for Juventus, this

season. Oh, get up, get up! Dear, oh, dear. Watch the gap created by

Pogba. And it hits Giroud. Yes, I'm lucky. Not! -- unlucky. John O'Shea

for James McClean. O Shea, covering for Duffy, who was

sent off. Brady out to the left. How much of this we are seeing is

down to the extra three days France had to prepare? There is an

argument. It makes a massive difference. -- there is no argument.

Coleman, gets it away. Not many numbers in the box for France again.

He was diplomatic about the extra preparation days for France.

Preparation days, tickets, everything. Memories of 1998.

Things laid on heavily in favour of the hosts, but they are not the only

ones to have done that. Always a tall order for the Republic of

Ireland. It is now a huge task. 20 minutes to go, 2-1 down, down to ten

men. Duffy, the third man sent off at these World Cup finals. -- these

finals. Matuidi will stretch. Evra is

available on the left. Griezmann. He has been their best player. Victor

Riu anticipated. Sagna with the cross, steered away by John O'Shea.

-- victory anticipated. That is a foul. Robbie Brady did not

think so! Here it comes, the French substitution and another Irish

change. Andre-Pierre Gignac, non-, and Wes Hoolahan comes on to replace

James McCarthy. McCarthy placed the game running. Wes Hoolahan came on

against Italy and it changed everything. It is a gamble,

certainly, but Martin Neil has to go for it. Giroud, still on for the

moment. The free kick not yet cleared, Rami stretching for what,

beyond John O'Shea. Hoolahan, with his first touch. Brady, his

clubmate. They combine so well in Lille. Sparking scenes of

celebration that I will never forget. Seeing the Irish fans in the

grand Place in Lille, exhausted, slumped, peaceful. Drunk! It was a

great night. Brady. Steps inside his man. Walters, admittedly, went to

running behind. And there was just a little bit of April. -- of April.

That is interesting. His response to the substitution. We are seeing the

Griezmann celebrations again. On comms Andre-Pierre Gignac.

Places football in Mexico now. He had a great season there. This is

his third appearance. He started the last game. I wonder what the

response would be to him from the Lyon crowd. He played for Marseille.

Payet. Gignac. Matuidi. Payet strokes the past, Griezmann

has had a terrific second-half. Ireland have not been able to

contain him. Sagna with the cross back in.

The possession stats. Suggesting that France deserve it, with nearly

60% of the ball, and three times the number of attempts on goal that the

Irish have had. Walters has not ever got in the game since coming on.

Earning a third caution for the Republic today. Griezmann, waiting

in the middle. Got the deflection he wanted. Corner for France. Some

weary legs in those white shirted players. What a great talent, Coman.

Only just turned 20. It was a statement of intent when they sent

him on for the second half. Payet calls the corner in. Just too high

for Griezmann. Ireland can't get out of their half

at the moment. They look weary. They put so much in against Italy. And in

the first half. Coman in space. Griezmann is in the

middle. He went for goal. Randolph managed to block it. Coman, Matuidi,

it is all France now. Hendrick, risky to be in there, when you are

so tired, but he did it. Brilliant effort! Hit the bar, Gignac.

Brilliant book inside, like Payet. -- but inside.

France have a stranglehold on the game. Shane Long, always a willing

worker to rationalise Rami. -- pressurise.

Ireland have just pushed up on the back for all France to stop them

getting up so easily. -- the back four of France. That was spectacular

but dangerous. Griezmann, working so hard. He has taken this game by the

scruff of its neck, Antoine Griezmann. Coman, look at the pace.

Gignac rumbles up after him. John O'Shea claims for the goalkick and

the corner is given. He has called 32 goals in Mexico for

Tigres this season, Gignac. -- he has scored.

You can feel proud of himself, Richard Keogh. That was too easy.

Randolph clawed it away. Gignac, it comes off Stephen Ward.

Just relentless pressure, now. Just over ten minutes to go. The writing

is on the wall. Even the Irish supporters have gone quiet. They

fear the worst. Stephen Ward did well. Pulled back for handball. I

don't think the referee saw it. It was his assistant on this nearside.

Hard to see what Martin O'Neill can do. Sagna. They have stopped the

Irish getting any ball into their penalty area in this half, with

their total command. Randolph gets a big paw to the ball. Payet. Space

for Matuidi. Looking for Griezmann. At was almost the killer pass. --

that was. That is the difference between Griezmann and Giroud in

those positions, Griezmann is like in quick. Very, very quick indeed.

-- lightning quick. I just picture him playing for PSG, raiding all the

time, nonstop, those big, long legs. The French performance in the second

period has been magnificent. And now, of course, it is against ten

men. Sagna, pursued by Brady. It is a

lonely furrow to plough now for Shane Long. The Irish fans are

singing Fields of Athenry. Such an a bucket of song. -- evocative song.

They are winning every battle, now, the French, aren't they? Fields of

Athenry, a plaintive song about lost love for someone sent to botany Bay.

For stealing a loaf of bread. How lonely it is around the Fields of

Athenry. Mr Trevelyan 's corn. Hoolahan almost slipped it into

Shane Long. Coleman. France quite happy for him to be out

there. Walters is down, Kashani unhappy. -- Laurent Koscielny.

Payet switches it to Gignac. Stephen Ward has put in some very strong

performances. It is all grim news, I know. The French fans are bouncing.

Pogba takes the touch and the second. Griezmann waiting in the

middle for the hat-trick. Stephen Ward makes the block. Kingsley Coman

just doesn't see it. He can't pick the past. He is merging with this

performance as one of the best strikers here. We knew he would.

Class always tells. He is a classy one. Kingsley Coman could have found

them there. -- him. He is from a place just up the road,

Macon. Macon villages. You will know that. Matuidi, it is almost three.

How did he miss? Just not enough contact. Great ball in, lovely run.

You have got to score from there. That is a dream ball for a striker.

The Republic of Ireland are just alive, still. Jonathan Walters. I'd

tell you what, he had Hugo Lloris scurrying across his goal.

But here France, looking for Coman. Griezmann is there, in space. Back

to Coman. Gignac has pulled off into space. Just doesn't make another

good connection. Much better ball this time from Coman, to pick

somebody out. He has almost gone to hit it little bit too early. Pogba.

Doing well as a defensive screen. He is a giant, isn't he?

He is suppressing some of his more attacking instincts. Pogba there

again. He has played an important role for France in this second half.

John O'Shea is with Payet, Payet goes up through the gears. This

could be the moment it ends. 60,000 people knew what was going to happen

in terms of him cutting in from the left, to open up the angle. The

Republic of Ireland, with two shots on target in the game according to

the official Uefa stats in the ground. It is time for Route one.

Get the ball in. Trying to push it through to Brady. No penalty. Just

not quite strong enough or quick enough. Great idea. Evra, guarding

his goalkeeper. He was always going to be second.

Matuidi. France is less than two minutes away from a quarterfinal and

Paris against the winner of the England- Iceland round of 16 game.

Unless Martin O'Neill 's side can come up with something special.

Long, was he taken out between the two? It is an Irish throw, anyway.

Here we go. It is a long one from Stephen Ward. Keogh and waters are

now. Shane Long behind them. -- Walters. Slammed away by Rami. One

minute to play, plus stoppage time. It is hope and pray time. Towards

Walters. Hoolahan. It comes out to Ward. In it floats.

Koscielny got a smack in the face as well. Is the rubric on here? -- is

there a brake on here. I think Hendrik caught him with his

right leg. Three minutes of stoppage time.

France sending on Moussa Sissoko. Big, strong, athletic, to see them

out. John O'Shea is across there. This could be his 114th and last

game. Walters could not get off the ground. Does not look fully fit, to

me. Hoolahan running into trouble. France could break decisively.

Gignac is on the far side, Griezmann pumping the legs to get in there.

Why did he take him on, if he is injured? How stupid is that? It has

set up a counterattack for the Republic of Ireland. Seamus Coleman

keeps it in, just. He looks absolutely at the end of his tether.

Blaise Matuidi was there. He will run it out into the far side and run

down the clock. Griezmann. Gignac plodding up alongside him. Plodding

is right. Coman, who was limping moments ago. I wonder what hurts him

more, the injury or the shame? He missed a couple of opportunities to

wrap it up. Cheers for every French touch.

Last minute of stoppage time. Gignac on the edge of the penalty area.

Griezmann on the hat-trick. Saved by Randolph! He has had a terrific

game, the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper. And here comes the last

of the substitutions. They have sort of wrapped it up. Good stop, very

good stop. Well played Didier Deschamps, he

made a big call at half-time. The header away by Rami. Hoolahan, only

thing he could do. This is it for the Republic of Ireland. It is now

or never. Rami came and claimed. And with that, surely, the Irish chance

has gone. We have had over three minutes of the three minutes

stoppage time allotted. No way forward for the Republic of Ireland.

The dream ends right here. The hosts, France, go through to the

quarterfinal against either England or Iceland, because Griezmann steer

them through, took the game by the scruff of the neck after Ireland got

off to a brilliant start, Sean -- Shane Long winning the penalty

converted by Brady, then it all went wrong, two from Griezmann in three

and it is. France, as a nation, celebrates, Ireland, crestfallen and

brokenhearted. But they have done their country so very proud. The

Republic of Ireland, out. France two, Ireland one.