MATCH RATINGS
IRELAND DARREN RANDOLPH
Looked steady in the first half with a couple of decent saves and catches to relive pressure. Left unprotected as Ireland imploded in the second half.
SEAMUS COLEMAN (C)
Booked for a foul on Payet and, like so many others in white, looked in control up until a dismal collective defensive effort shattered Ireland’s dreams.
SHANE DUFFY
A horror show in the second half undid so much good work in the opening 45. Rash judgment for France’s second goal and then dismissed for a professional foul.
RICHARD KEOGH
Looked uncomfortable with his clearances a couple of times and just couldn’t deal with Giroud when it mattered as the French striker created the winning goal.
STEPHEN WARD
Helped create Ireland’s goal by making surging run in the buildup to the penalty. That will now be forgotten because of events in the second period.
JEFF HENDRICK
Got a silly booking for kicking the ball away, which would have meant a suspension. Couldn’t have the same impact going forward as France took control.
JAMES McCARTHY
As assured a performance as you’d hope for in the first half. Then, disaster, Griezmann ghosted behind him for the equaliser and was subbed again.
ROBBIE BRADY
Coolest head in the place to slot the penalty and delivered some dangerous crosses but couldn’t help to settle Ireland nerves once the equaliser went in.
JAMES McCLEAN
Clever in possession, energetic as always in that opening 45. Allowed Bacary Sagna get the better of him before the leveller and sacrificed after the red card.
SHANE LONG
Seemed to be in the wars from the first minute and while he troubled the entire back four on several occasions he faded as Ireland’s hopes fell away.
DARYL MURPHY
His hold-up play was spot on for Ireland and the Waterford native kept attacks going with some clever touches. First to be subbed with 65 minutes gone.
SUBSTITUTES
Jon Walters for Murphy (65) – Just couldn’t inspire a comeback. 5 John O’Shea for McClean (68) – Shored things up after Duffy red. 6 Wes Hoolahan for McCarthy (71) – Did his best to inject some life. 5
FRANCE HUGO LLORIS (C)
Went the wrong way for the penalty. Not a lot of serious business to do thereafter as Ireland failed to really threaten once the hosts took control.
BACARY SAGNA
Made the most of a rare bit of space afforded to him down his right side and delivered the perfect cross for the equaliser. Comfortable at the back.
ADIL RAMI
Booked for a cynical foul on Long, couldn’t deal with Murphy and looked so far out of his depth at times he should have been wearing armbands.
LAURENT KOSCIELNY
Didn’t appear to be comfortable in possession and hacked at a few clearances. Avoided a yellow card and suspension so will play in next round.
PATRICE EVRA
Was troubled on more than one occasion by Long and Murphy but had a handy afternoon of it in the second half. A potential weak point not exploited.
PAUL POGBA
Clumsy for the early penalty but he regrouped and looked most assured in the middle. Odd pass overcooked but on the whole an impressive display.
N’GOLO KANTE
Taken off at half-time as France went in search of the goals to save their blushes. His yellow card in the first 45 minutes rules him out of the quarter-final.
BLAISE MATUDI
Forced Randolph into a decent save with a shot from distance after 55 minutes and was a busy presence in midfield as France worked their way back.
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN
Ireland’s heartbreaker with the two goals but he was a lucky boy as showed laziness in build-up to penalty. Clinical in the box and showed his class, though.
DIMITRI PAYET
Kept France ticking over and slipped a pass through for Griezmann during injury-time but he was unable to convert for his hat-trick.
OLIVIER GIROUD
Came into his own in the second half after poor first 45 and did excellently to win a header and knock down for Griezmann as Les Bleus strode into next round.
SUBSTITUTES
Kingsley Coman for Kante (HT) – Injected a badly needed spark. 7 Andre-Pierre Gignac for Giroud (73) – Hitting bar his only impact 5 Moussa Sissoko for Coman (92) – Not enough time to earn a rating.