Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill blamed unfair Euro 2016 scheduling after his 10-man side gave France an almighty scare but ran out of steam against the hosts in Lyon.
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Robbie Brady’s early penalty gave the Republic the lead but two second-half Antoine Griezmann goals earned France victory as the hosts took control.
The packed home support – who booed their team as they trudged off at halftime – broke into a deafening “Marseillaise” and cheered France all the way to its first knockout stage win at a Euro Finals since winning the trophy in 2000.
It is unclear when Keane will make his return to the LA Galaxy and when he will play in an MLS match but the team has a rough stretch with a group of games coming in close succession. I try to respond to the encouragement I get on social media and in the stadium with my performances on the field.
“I raised my voice at times, but we also needed calm”, Deschamps, who as captain won the European Championship in 2000, told a news conference.
“It’s disappointing that we didn’t go further but there is definitely a future for this team”.
“We were all shouting each other on after the penalty and we knew we had to improve”, he said.
France have done things the hard way so far, needing dramatic late goals in earlier matches and having to fight back after conceding an early penalty against a spirited Ireland.
“You shouldn’t be too calculative”.
The Atletico Madrid forward rose to the occasion, and was at the right place at the right time to put the ball past Randolph twice in quick successions.
I’m used to playing up front for Atlético so it was a little bit easier for me in the second half against Ireland.
On the front page of Le Parisien the splash reads ‘Le déclic?’ above a picture of Kingsley Coman and Dimitri Payet holding Griezmann aloft.
“I knew I was in the red before the game”, he said, referring to the risk of incurring a ban.
“Sometimes, it’s hard. When you concede a penalty at the start of a match, it made us tense and the Irish can play a bit”, he said.
“I think we had the pass from deeper and Giroud flicked it on, so they were all the saviours too”, he said.
“We put our heart and soul into the game, which has become nearly a prerequisite for us”. “The tournament has been great for the players, good for some of the younger players who have come of age, and great for the supporters”.
Today sees the completion of the last-16 round with England taking on mighty minnows Iceland and holders Spain lining up against Italy.
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Asked if Ireland had evolved as a team during the competition, he said: “I think we always had belief that we were a good team”.
