Blaise Matuidi's early goal proved enough for France to secure a crucial 1-0 victory away to Bulgaria which put them back at the top of World Cup European Qualifying Group A.

Republic of Ireland 1 Belarus 2: It might have been 2-1 to Belarus on the scoreboard at full time but, of course, the really big result of the night still hung in the balance after the final whistle had blown at Turner’s Cross, as the 11th hour approached and, with it, the revelation of the Irish squad which will represent the country at the European Championship finals in France.