EURO 2016: France revival seals Ireland exit

Match-winner Antoine Griezmann revealed harsh words were said at half-time as France fought back to beat Republic of Ireland 2-1 at Euro 2016. “But Shane, even though he got sent off today, has been unbelievable and with Shane, Jeff (Hendrick), Robbie (Brady) and James (McClean) there’s a bright future”.

With family in the stands, he booked Les Bleus a quarter-final berth that had seemed beyond them before the break, when Griezmann and his team-mates resembled the high-speed trains that came to a grinding halt in his home town of Macon on the eve of this round of 16 match.

“A three-day differential is genuinely too much and it took its toll on us in the second half”, said O’Neill.

An aspect of that dominance involved Patrice Evra & Bacary Sagna getting forward to supply quality balls into the Irish box, with France’s equaliser arriving after Sagna delivered a measured cross which Andre Greizmann powerfully headed beyond Darren Randolph. Then for them to score to other goal so quickly…

It was a match of two halves for Griezmann, with the 25-year-old struggling through the first 45 before thriving in the second.

“They are Irish legends and they will be very hard to replace”.

“But it’s true that being further up the pitch is where I normally play, so it’s easier for me”.

Deschamps agreed that the start had not been ideal.

Morata can add to his tally when Spain plays Italy in the round of 16 on Monday.

Newcastle United’s Moussa Sissoko is knocking on the door in midfield having impressed in the goalless draw with Switzerland.

“We’ll be without Adil and N’Golo Kante but we’re a group of 23, we’ll be all right”.

The Sunderland man was a part of the squad that limped out of Euro 2012 in Poland and was pleased the players were able to give their fantastic following something to be proud of in this tournament.

When asked about his potential retirement after the French reverse, O’Shea opted to focus on celebrating a strong campaign with his team-mates.

“Antoine showed his skills in front of goal”. Eventually, the sides with the very best players should win the game’.

France will hunt a semi-final place next Sunday at the Stade de France and Deschamps expects more drama. “Well if you think that we had the pass from deep and Giroud flicked it down, you will see they are all saviours too”.

“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, but I’m disappointed given the position we got ourselves into”.