How they rated: Chiedozie Ogbene set the tone for brave Irish performance

Ogbene set the tone when winning the ball off Kylian Mbappe inside two minutes and the Corkman put in a relentless shift, finding some joy up against the France left back Theo Hernandez

BALANCING ACT: Republic of Ireland's Chiedozie Ogbene gets away from France's Dayot Upamecano during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group B qualifying match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Gavin Bazunu 

There was little the Southampton goalkeeper could have done to keep out Benjamin Pavard’s goal - the game’s first attempt on target - and he was not called into meaningful action until getting down well to save from Moussa Diaby three quarters of the way in. 6