Ireland coach Martin O’Neill kicks a stray ball during the Euro 2016 round of 16 soccer match between France and Ireland, at the Grand Stade in Decines-Charpieu, near Lyon, France, Sunday, June 26, 2016.
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However, his afternoon had only just started in earnest and just three minutes more had elapsed when he ran on to Olivier Giroud’s expert knock-down and beat the keeper with an assured left-footed finish.
Antoine Griezmann scored twice in four minutes to breach O’Neill’s defence as France came from behind to win the last 16 clash 2-1 in Lyon. “Hence my disappointment”, he added, Ireland having drawn with Sweden, lost to Belgium and beaten Italy in the pool stage.
Despite being outclassed in the second half at Stade de Lyon, O’Neill had no interest in suggestions the team would have been out of place had they progressed against the odds.
“It’s an incredible advantage for one team to have, but that said, France are a fine team and good luck to them in the tournament”, said the Irish boss.
We had them under severe pressure. “It’s important to say the truth and we needed that because it made a difference in the second half”.
Ireland quickly began to fade, especially after France forward Antoine Griezmann turned the match around by scoring in the 58th and 61st minutes. “Another six or seven minutes without conceding and France might have got panicky”.
O’Neill paid a glowing tribute to his team saying, “physically, the players put absolutely everything into all of the games”.
Ireland was only spared a bigger defeat because Griezmann and substitute Andre-Pierre Gignac later wasted a series of chances.
France’s response came predictably swiftly as they pinned Ireland back deep inside their own half for long periods, although goalkeeper Darren Randolph enjoyed a largely uneventful first half.
They very almost got their reward in stoppage time when, after a flowing moved had left Pogba in space on the right, Payet accepted his pass and cut inside before seeing Stephen Ward block his shot with Duffy equally resilient from Griezmann’s follow-up. The players applauded their fans, who responded with cheers and songs for several minutes. “I feel a bit like I’m from this city”.
“The second half was always going to be tough for us and we just couldn’t keep the door closed for long enough”, Ireland defender Seamus Coleman said.
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Wednesday night’s exertions took their toll on the 10 men as France attacked in waves throughout the closing stages, but the Republic did not suffer any further punishment as they battled all the way to the whistle.
