France will visit the Republic of Ireland on Monday night in Euro qualifying Group B at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. It will be the first meeting between the Group B rivals since 2018.
The Republic are yet to play in European Championship qualifying, while France posted a 4-0 win over the Netherlands in Paris on Friday. Antoine Griezmann, Dayot Upamencano, and Kylian Mbappe (twice) got onto the scoresheet for the French.
Ireland v France: A fixture steeped in history Believe. 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/duyTwQYC7K— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 26, 2023
Ireland v France: A fixture steeped in history Believe. 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/duyTwQYC7K
Mbappe is the new captain of the French national team and showed just why with two goals versus the Dutch. France would have been the early favourites to top Group B, but the Netherlands would have been expected to battle them for the position.
However, after matchday No 1 in Group B, it looks like the French could run away with things. Can the Republic of Ireland slow down the French?
Ireland may have had to wait to play their opening Group B match, but they did play an international friendly on Wednesday to warm up for France. The Republic defeated Latvia 3-2 in Dublin.
Each time Ireland scored, Latvia pegged them back until Chiedozie Ogbene scored in the second half to finally win the match for the Republic. Monday’s match will be the last game for both national teams in June’s round of international fixtures.
France lead the all-time head-to-head record against Ireland with eight wins, five draws, and four defeats. France are on a two-game winning streak against Ireland in all competitions.
Ireland have not defeated France since 1981. The Republic failed to win their last seven games versus France in all competitions.
Republic of Ireland full-back Seamus Coleman could be fit to face France following an injury. Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher is likely to start in goal. The shot-stopper is likely to leave Liverpool in the summer and Monday’s game will be an audition for other clubs.
Didier Deschamps is without William Saliba and Wesley Fofana for this round of international matches. The Premier League defenders were ruled out before the international break. He currently has no other injury problems going into the match.
Ireland struggled with Latvia in their warmup to play France. The Irish should struggle with the World Cup runner-up in Dublin, with Les Bleus posting a win without much trouble.
Mbappe could run all over the Irish, just as he did the much stronger Netherlands on Friday. Although France were beaten on penalties in the World Cup final, they are unbeaten in five straight games at the end of full-time.
France should ease by Ireland, but it could be a low-scoring game. Les Bleus should win 1-0.