Football Features

    France 2-0 Ireland – Player ratings as “effortless” Tchouaméni runs the show in Paris

    By James Amey

    Published: 22:08, 7 September 2023

    France kept up their 100% record in Euro 2024 qualifying with a dominant performance against Ireland at the Parc de Princes. 

    Didier Deschamps’ side strolled to a 2-0 win, as they made it five qualifying games in a row without conceding. A goal either side of half-time from Aurélien Tchouaméni, who’s thunderbolt from outside the box gave Gavin Bazunu no chance, and a first international goal for Marcus Thuram, ensured that France will sit pretty on top of Group B.

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    Ireland meanwhile, made it three defeats from their four qualifying games as they barely threatened Mike Maignan’s goal.  Here’s how the players rated at Parc des Princes:

    France

    Mike Maignan – 7 – Did not have a single thing to do in the first half but made a superb one handed save to deny Ogbene from close range less than 10 minutes into the second.

    Jules Kounde – 5.5 – Looked to overlap Dembele, but wasted the ball when he did.

    Dayot Upamecano – 6.5 – Didnt’t have an awful lot to do, but when he did he did it immaculately.

    Lucas Hernandez – 6.5 – Slowly being introduced back into the side after his cruciate ligament injury and had a busy evening with the willing runner Ogbene on his side.

    Theo Hernandez – 7.5 – A huge threat down France’s left-hand side, creating the joint most chances on the pitch (4).. Made a brilliant run and cut back in the opening stages of the game and played his part in Marcus Thuram’s goal. Booked after just 21 minutes for a trip on Chiedozie Ogbene.

    Aurelien Tchouameni – 9 – What a player. Incredible. A ball winning machine that’s calm on the ball, can pick out a pass and has one hell of a strike. Unleashed a fantastic curling effort from distance to put France ahead, bending the ball past Bazunu from outside the box, giving the Saints keeper no chance.

    He tried it again in the second half, but this time Bazunu was equal to the Real Madrid man’s strike. “He makes it look effortless” declared the ViaPlay commentary team after his second near perfect effort. Completed 101 of his 107 passes, ran the midfield with no ROI able to get near him.

    Adrien Rabiot – 6 – Neat and tidy if not standout.

    Ousmane Dembele – 8 – More scoops than Ben & Jerrys. Scooped the ball past Enda Stevens’ outstretched leg with an outrageous piece of skill before finding Marcus Thuram in the box with a pinpoint cross in the first half. Just minutes later, he set Jules Kounde away with a perfectly weighted ball with the outside of his boot.

    Had Enda Stevens on toast in the opening 45-minutes, toying with the defender and then beating him time and time again before Ireland’s number three was subbed off at HT. Slowed in the second, as had a tougher time with James McClean.

    Antoine Griezmann – 8 – So good in the number 10 role. His touch is immaculate and is the perfect player to play in those tight areas, which he showed in the build up to Thuram’s goal to make it 2-0, playing a fantastic 1-2 before spraying the ball out wide to Theo Hernandez. Hardly loses the ball and steps up defensively as well.

    Kylian Mbappe – 7 – Kept quiet in the first half, but went looking for the ball in the second. Links so well with Antoine Griezmann and even though he didn’t score, no other player created more chances than the forward (4).

    Olivier Giroud – N/A – Picked up an ankle injury early on, tried to play on but couldn’t. Replaced after 26 minutes.

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    Substitutes:

    Marcus Thuram (for Giroud 26′) – 7 – Scored his first ever international goal for France, putting the ball in the top corner with a smart finish after the ball was loose in the box. Missed a huge header late on to grab his second.

    William Saliba (for L. Hernandez 73′) – N/A – A late sub.

    Kingsley Coman (for Dembele 73′) – N/A – A late sub.

    Benjamin Pavard (for Kounde 89′) – N/A – A late sub.

    Eduardo Camavinga (for Griezmann 90′) – N/A – A late sub.

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    Republic of Ireland

    Gavin Bazunu – 6 – Will be glad Kylian Mbappe’s strike in the first half was ruled out for offside. Wasn’t being beaten twice by Tchouameni from range and produced a fine stop to deny him a second.

    Nathan Collins – 6 – Made a huge block to deny Griezmann a certain goal late on, but a tough evening for the CB.

    John Egan – 6.5 – He will sleep well tonight. Made 4 clearances, 3 interceptions, 3 clearances and won 3/4 aerial duels as he tried to deal with wave after wave of French attacks.

    Shane Duffy – 6 – Body on the line defending as usual as he tried to keep the score down.

    Jason Knight – 5.5 – The game passed him by.

    Alan Browne – 6.5 – Kept Kylian Mbappe relatively quiet in the first half, in what was an incredibly tough job for the RWB.

    Josh Cullen – 5.5 – Not a good evening for the 27-year-old, which was made worse with a booking.

    Jayson Molumby – 5 – Kept the ball when he received it, but struggled to get to grips with France’s attack.

    Enda Stevens – 3.5 – Will be having nightmares of Ousmane Dembele for weeks to come as he got absolutely rinsed by the PSG man. Won 0/5 duels, was dribbled past three times and will be glad to come off at HT. Way too slow getting out to block Tchouameni’s opener.

    Adam Idah – 5 – Had little to no service before being replaced.

    Chiedozie Ogbene – 7 – Looked a constant threat on the counter with his pace, always looking to run at the French defence. Final ball could have been better at times, but was always looking to get Ireland on the front foot and had a huge chance with a header early in the second half, but was denied by Maignan.

    Substitutes:

    James McClean (for Stevens 46′) – 6- Did a lot better dealing with Dembele than the man he replaced.

    Mark Sykes (for Molumby 68′) – 5- Game was already lost when he came on.

    Will Keane (for Idah 68′) – N/A- Lasted just 10 minutes before having to be replaced.

    Aaron Connolly (for Keane 78′) – N/A- A late sub

    Festy Ebosele (for Ogbene 84′) – N/A- A late sub

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