France confirmed their qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027 with a 1-0 victory over Ireland in front of a crowd of 7,559.
Melvine Malard was the hero for France as her stunning goal gave France the lead. Ireland pushed for a leveller especially after Thiniba Samoura was sent off for a second bookable offence but France held on. Both sides came into this one knowing that victory would be enough to book their place at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. If the two sides drew, France would finish above Ireland but would leave the door open for Netherlands to sneak through with victory in Almelo against Poland. France had welcomed an Irish side on form in League A, three wins from three gave Ireland confidence heading into this one.
Ireland made two changes from the side that nabbed a late victory in Cork against Netherlands on Friday night. Emily Murphy and Denise O’Sullivan, were both suspended for the 3-2 victory but both came straight back into the line up to face France. Player of the Match on Friday, Abbie Larkin, was benched in place of Murphy, who prior to her suspension was Ireland’s most consistent performer. O’Sullivan returned to the line up as expected with Ruesha Littlejohn who shared the 90 minutes on Friday with Jess Ziu dropped to the bench. France made no changes from the side that beat Poland 2-0 on Friday.
The Lineups
FRA: Picaud; Bacha, Samoura, Lakrar, Sombath; Karchaoui, Geyoro, Jean-François; Baltimore, Malard, D. Cascarino
IRL: Brosnan; McCabe, Mustaki, Hayes, Patten, Mannion; Connolly, O’Sullivan, Sheva; Carusa, Murphy
The Action
A fine display of pomp and ceremony opened proceedings in Grenoble with red, white and blue fireworks, tifos and French tricolours a plenty waved fervently by an expectant French crowd. France forced the first save of the match out of Courtney Brosnan with the match approaching the five minute mark. The effort was comfortably stopped by Brosnan off the boot of Grace Geyoro. Sakina Karchaoui helped France create a real opening only minutes later, driving from midfield, she played Melvine Malard in behind. The Manchester United striker’s shot was brilliantly stopped by Brosnan.
France were applying pressure on the Irish midfield and were having success, turning the ball over high up the pitch. Both Delphine Cascarino and Malard saw chances come and go before the 25 minute mark. Ireland were struggling to get up the pitch and gain territory but a quick counter saw Kyra Carusa break away. Carusa’s cross into the box was smothered by Constance Picaud in goal for France.
France would break the deadlock just after the thirty minute mark. After a spell of pressure from France with a number of balls sent into the box valiantly cleared. The final ball into the box from Karcchaoui could only be flicked on by Megan Connolly before the ball ricocheted into the air near the six yard box off Malard’s head. The ball looped high into the sky before it fell to Malard’s perfectly placed boot and a spectacular bicycle kick followed. The ball rocketed home in off the underside of the cross bar.
O’Sullivan had a chance to level the score before half time when Picaud was caught off her line but her effort from near halfway missed the mark. France and Malard were threatening again just after half time, with Anna Patten’s interception just denying Malard a second.
As the half wore on France began to seem frustrated, and Ireland were close to levelling the scores after excellent work from Mannion to break free on the wing. Her cross was a touch over hit but recovered by Marissa Sheva her ball redirected into the box just evaded the outstretched boot of Carusa. Ireland came close again after McCabe’s long searching ball into the box found Anna Patten at the far post, but Patten’s shot was well stopped by Picaud. Thiniba Samoura was dismissed for a second bookable offence to give Ireland hope with twenty minutes to play.
Ireland were desperately close to levelling the scores when Abbie Larkin stole in behind to latch onto a diagonal ball into the box. Larkin fired on goal but Picaud made a another smart stop.
France Player Ratings
GK: Constance Picaud – 8/10 – The new West Ham signing did not have a huge amount to do in the first half. Made a couple of outstanding saves in the second half to deny Anna Patten and Abbie Larkin.
RB: Alice Sombath – 6.5/10 – Had a good shot early on that was blocked.
RCB: Thiniba Samoura – 5.5/10 – Was sent off for a second bookable offence, avoidable.
LCB: Maëlle Lakrar – 7/10 – Was physical in defence at times, pushing the limits but she kept the Irish attack quiet for the most part.
LB: Selma Bacha – 6,5/10 – Bacha was quieter than usual from full back for France.
CM: Oriane Jean-François – 6.5/10 – The match passed her by touch.
CM: Grace Geyoro – 6/10 – Had a couple of bright touches and was physical from midfield, lucky to escape a booking more than once.
CM: Sakina Karchaoui – 7.5/10 – Her position in the centre of midfield has been the subject of much discussion in France but she found space in between the lines tonight. Delivered the cross in for the opening goal.
RW: Delphine Cascarino – 6.5/10 – Had a couple of bright moments early on but faded in the second half.
LW: Sandy Baltimore – 6.5/10 – Left Mannion for dead within the first couple of minutes with her pace.
ST: Melvine Malard – 8/10 – Scored a magnificent goal to give France the lead on the night.
SUBS
Marie-Antoinette Katoto – 6.5/10 – ( Cascarino 69′) – Didn’t have a huge impact on the match.
Melween N’Dongala – 6/10 – (Bacha 69′) – Had precious few touches of the ball after coming on.
Anaële Le Moguédec – 6.5/10 – (Malard 69′) – Was brought on to sure up the defence with the absence of Samoura and did so.
Kelly Gago – N/A – (Karchaoui 89′)
Wassa Sangaré – N/A – (Baltimore 89′)
Ireland Player Ratings
GK: Courtney Brosnan – 7.5/10 – Made an excellent save in the first 10 minutes to deny Malard. Distribution was exceptionally good.
RWB: Aoife Mannion– 6.5/10 – Mannion made a mistake early on and was left by Baltimore, but she improved as the match went on. She was key to a number of attacks and got Baltimore back when the Chelsea played moved to left back.
RCB: Anna Patten – 8/10 – Stopped a couple of early near post crosses into the box with some smart interceptions.
CB: Caitlin Hayes – 8/10 – Marshalled the early moments with Malard well for much of the match. Made an incredible late tackle on Le Moguédec.
LCB: Chloe Mustaki – 7.5/10 – Made a couple of brilliant interceptions and tackles early on. Lost the ball to Katoto and was lucky not to be punished.
LWB: Katie McCabe– 7/10 – Her delivery into the box was not at its usual standard, a combative performance none the less.
CM: Denise O’Sullivan – 5.5/10 – Looked off her usual pace, lost a number of early fifty fifty challenges. Her passes short and long went a rye more than once.
CM: Megan Connolly – 7/10 – Made an excellent early block as Alice Sombath looked to shoot from range. Struggled against the French press.
CM: Marissa Sheva – 7/10 – Formed part of an effective press in the left side of the pitch. Had a couple of excellent one touch passes.
ST: Emily Murphy – 6.5/10 – Struggled to get any foothold in the match, she kept on working however.
ST: Kyra Carusa – 7.5/10 – Referee was giving her nothing in the early moments, a couple of clear fouls not given in her favour. Did what she could to hold up play for Ireland.
SUBS
Jess Ziu – 6.5/10 – (Connolly 61′) – Did well after coming on, dribbling at the opposition defence.
Abbie Larkin – 7.5/10 – (Carusa 70′) – Injected pace, energy and excitement into the Irish attack after coming on.
Amber Barrett – N/A – (Sheva 89′) –
Saoirse Noonan – N/A – (Mannion 89′) –
