Last 16: France v Republic of Ireland, 26th June, 2pm

[Liam_SWFC]

1-1 Griezmann heads in from a good Sagna cross, big ask for Ireland now the French have the momentum.

 

[Bobbin']

Pathetic from Ireland again.

Much like the Belgium game, concede a goal and their heads have gone.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Atrcious defending from Ireland on both goals - I'm afraid they got what they deserved.

 

[mchilds]

Brilliant. Just bloody brilliant play by France.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

2-1 France quick turnaround, Griezmann again great finish. Poor defending from the Irish though, two centre backs going for the same ball allows Griezmann to run clear through.

 

[Stevencc]

Took Griezmann out of my fantasy side for this round of fixtures.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Red card Ireland, Duffy off last man takes out Griezmann on edge of box. Good decision.

 

[Storzy]

Game over.

Moving Griezmann into the middle to support Giroud has transformed this French side.

I is genius.

 

[Master D]

Never seen Richard Keogh play any match and not be directly responsible for at least one or 2 goals due to falling on his arse constantly.

 

[Storzy]

Gignac is Giroud, but shitter really. Not really going to change the game for the French.

 

[SALTIRE]

Took Griezmann out of my fantasy side for this round of fixtures.

You silly silly man....

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Game over.

Moving Griezmann into the middle to support Giroud has transformed this French side.

I is genius.

The Irish giving him the freedom of the park sorta helped.

 

[Storzy]

He had no freedom on the right though, moved to the centre and Giroud created space for him.

I've seen that sort of thing time and time again with Arsenal. We too often set up just like that French side in the first side, all narrow and no movement.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Congratulations to France on turning that one around they definitely showed they are no push over, and the added quality shone through in the end, Griezmann down the middle in that 2nd half was fantastic. It could have probably been more as well, Ireland seemed to lose their heads a little once the equaliser went in, and after going a goal and man down it was always going to be a huge ask. They can hold their heads high on the basis of that performance though and their tournament as a whole, they only really let themselves down against a vastly superior Belgium, if England are to beat Iceland tomorrow then there's definitely nothing to fear from France though.

 

[Super_horns]

Plucky defeat for the Irish - we will probably do the same against the French!

 

[Nath]

Pathetic from Ireland again.

Much like the Belgium game, concede a goal and their heads have gone.

Pathetic? Think you were watching the wrong game.

We were very poor against Belgium. However it was tiredness that killed us against France. After that Italy shift we struggled in the latter stages of the game today. France just picked us off then.

So proud of this Irish team. Whilst we're not the most technically gifted, we can not be matched for heart. Absolutely gave it everything against Italy and France. Our team and fans have been amazing in this tournament. Some great memories.

At least I can stay away from the booze for a while now..

 

[Bobbin']

Pathetic? Think you were watching the wrong game.

We were very poor against Belgium. However it was tiredness that killed us against France. After that Italy shift we struggled in the latter stages of the game today. France just picked us off then.

So proud of this Irish team. Whilst we're not the most technically gifted, we can not be matched for heart. Absolutely gave it everything against Italy and France. Our team and fans have been amazing in this tournament. Some great memories.

At least I can stay away from the booze for a while now..

I wasn't talking about the performance in general but the 15/20 minute spell where you conceded and then seemed to give up before conceding again.

Much like the Belgium game, concede and show no interest in wanting to get back into the game.

 

[Skinner]

Can't be matched for heart lol yawn

Every team in this tournament is determined to win and will give it 100%, Ireland are not different, neither are Wales, NI, Albania, France, Germany...

Sick of hearing about heart and passion now. You don't usually qualify, we get it, but that doesn't mean you want it any less, just because your players lack ability. We're talking about a major international tournament here.

 

[Skinner]

sorry I don't mean to sound a dick there, it's just boring. You tried to get further but didn't, you didn't have the quality so failed at the last 32

Be proud and accept it, but don't suggest Ireland have more passion and determination than the rest of us

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Can't be matched for heart lol yawn

Every team in this tournament is determined to win and will give it 100%, Ireland are not different, neither are Wales, NI, Albania, France, Germany...

Sick of hearing about heart and passion now. You don't usually qualify, we get it, but that doesn't mean you want it any less, just because your players lack ability. We're talking about a major international tournament here.

I understand where the Irish are coming from but I tend to agree - if the Italians had put out a full strength side they would have been knocked out no matter how hard they worked.

 

[Nath]

I wasn't talking about the performance in general but the 15/20 minute spell where you conceded and then seemed to give up before conceding again.

Much like the Belgium game, concede and show no interest in wanting to get back into the game.

I don't think we gave up at all. France were much fresher and as the game went on this became evident. Their quality shone through in the end. A great header and a defensive error cost us. We had our chances (McClean one - all he needed to do was play it across). We then struggled badly with ten men.

Can't be matched for heart lol yawn

Every team in this tournament is determined to win and will give it 100%, Ireland are not different, neither are Wales, NI, Albania, France, Germany...

Sick of hearing about heart and passion now. You don't usually qualify, we get it, but that doesn't mean you want it any less, just because your players lack ability. We're talking about a major international tournament here.

sorry I don't mean to sound a dick there, it's just boring. You tried to get further but didn't, you didn't have the quality so failed at the last 32

Be proud and accept it, but don't suggest Ireland have more passion and determination than the rest of us

Why are you getting so upset? If you don't want to hear about it, then don't listen. The players in the team have ran themselves into the ground. We've gotten out of a group containing Sweden, Italy and Belgium, which itself is a great achievement. What we lack in quality, we make up through our grit and heart. I think that's a fair comment.

We have the best fans anyway, that's for sure.

 

[Skinner]

I'm not getting upset lol

I just don't get why the smaller nations are tagged with wanting it more, it's not like a cup tie.

 

[voltage]

It was indeed a bad first half for France. But they redeemed at second half. Griezmann who's being one of their worst players on field on the beginning saved all the thing. Anyway I'm still not convinced about Giroud. He just reminds me a lot of Fred for Brazil at 2014, no talent at all with movement. With this characteristic he probably would only work with a partner to supply it, in the case someone like Benzema.

 

[mistermagic]

Great experience that. The Irish being their usually best with banter before, during and after the game. Game was great what with Deschamps proving once again how flexible he is on systems and that he's no bottler. Great move to put Griezmann as a #10 (this has Storzy's first half analysis in the French dressing room all over it tbh) one I wouldn't have done. It paid dividends: Sagna made a good cross! His first EVER good cross for us comes in a major tournament! Talk about timing.
Giroud getting loads of flack once again but really, his workrate is second to none and without his aerial presence, Griezmann doesn't score the second.

Now to sort out Iceland.