Trailing to Robbie Brady’s second-minute penalty as Ireland got off to the flawless start in Lyon, Griezmann spared French blushes as he struck twice within three second-half minutes to turn the last-16 tie before defender Shane Duffy’s 66th-minute dismissal for a professional foul effectively ended the game as a contest.
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The Republic were back in action four days after their 1-0 win over Italy. He came off the bench in the 68th minute against France because Shane Duffy had been sent off for a professional foul.
Ireland coach Martin O’Neill did not see it that way after being ousted by France.
“We were frustrated and angry”, said Patrice Evra.
“They played a big part in this tournament and the future is bright”, said Coleman.
France, who have yet to play a full match at their best in the tournament, have only conceded one goal in three matches, a penalty, but the back four have not been really tested.
“The team have put absolutely everything into the games that we have played”, O’Neill told ITV Sport. If we could had gone led for another six or seven minutes we could have used it to our advantage with France getting nervous. I think if them lads do move on, then it’s been an absolute privilege and an honour to play with them and share the field with them because they’re Irish legends. “I think we have a real group and they are all fixed on the objective of winning”.
“To lock horns with some of the best teams in the world and give more than a good account of ourselves is a great credit to ourselves and the staff”.
“We knew about (the difference) before, but it is an incredible amount of time for one team to have over another one”.
“I just want to thank the players. I knew this match would be hard and when Ireland took the lead it made us more uncomfortable”.
His masterstroke was to bring on speedy winger Kingsley Coman on for holding midfielder N’Golo Kante at the start of the second half, pushing Payet further wide and Griezmann closer to Giroud. Deschamps said the change was to get more presence up front.
France will hunt a semi-final place next Sunday at the Stade de France and Deschamps expects more drama.
It took Les Bleus 13 minutes in the second half to equalise, Griezmann heading home form Bacary Sagna’s cross after heated exchanges among the players in the dressing room at halftime.
“That decision will be up to the players but the likes of Robbie Keane, Shay Given, John O’Shea and I’d include Glenn Whelan in that too, have been really terrific around the team”, he said.
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The masterstroke from coach Didier Deschamps at the break unshackled France’s attackers, who had struggled to get a hold on the game early on after a Robbie Brady penalty in the second minute, the fastest goal so far at this year’s tournament.
