Aurelien Tchouameni thumped home a delightful finish from outside the box as France took another giant step towards the Euro 2024 finals with a commanding 2-0 win over Republic of Ireland in Paris.
The World Cup finalists were utterly dominant at the Parc de Princes with the Real Madrid midfielder putting the gloss on an impressive first-half display as he arrowed a shot into the corner of the net from Kylian Mbappe's set-up assist on 19 minutes.
Captain Mbappe was also involved in the second as his attempted finish on 48 minutes was blocked before substitute Marcus Thuram pounced on the loose ball to swivel and clinically bury his first international goal.
France move onto a maximum 15 points from five matches as runaway Group B leaders with Stephen Kenny's outclassed visitors – who lost substitute forward Will Keane to an unfortunate injury on 78 minutes – marooned on three points from their opening four fixtures.
Les Bleus’ staggering consistency continues. They last lost a European Championship qualifier at home against Belarus 13 years ago and have yet to lose a goal in this qualifying campaign.
While Kenny's Republic team realistically need to overcome Netherlands in Dublin on Sunday night to keep alive any faint hopes of qualification.
Match Events
3' Rabiot's shot stopped
4' Mbappe's shot over the bar
19' GOAL! France 1-0 Republic of Ireland (Tchouaméni)
39' OFFSIDE! Mbappe’s goal disallowed
48' GOAL! France 2-0 Republic of Ireland (Thuram)
66' Tchouameni's long shot stopped
Line-ups
France XI: Giroud, Griezmann, Maignan, Rabiot, Lucas, Dembele, Theo, Mbappe, Upamecano, Kounde, Aurélien Tchouaméni
Subs: Areola, Brice Samba, Coman, Thuram, Pavard, Axel Disasi, Kamara, Muani, Todibo, Youssouf Fofana, William Saliba, Eduardo Camavinga
Republic of Ireland XI: Stevens, Duffy, Egan, Alan Browne, Josh Cullen, Chiedozie Ogbene, Molumby, Gavin Bazunu, Idah, Nathan Collins, Jason Knight
Subs: McClean, Darragh Lenihan, Hendrick, Will Keane, Ryan Manning, Jamie McGrath, Kelleher, Travers, O'Shea, Will Smallbone, Connolly, Festy Ebosele
Mosanya
592
An Irish fan raises the shirt of LIONEL MESSI during the IRELAND vs FRANCE match. The fun fact is this match was played in the Parc Des Princes stadium which is PSG's home ground. Hence proved, MESSI is Bigger than PSG
maturidikxith
480
this french will reach 2026 final if they playing like this
Doxmang
464
🇫🇷 Aurelian Tchouameni vs. Ireland ● 97 minutes played ● 124 Touches ● 1 Goal (Outside the box) ● 2 Shots on Target ● 94% Pass accuracy (101/107) ● 2 Key passes ● 2 Long Balls ● 3 Ground duels ● 3 Tackles ● 1 Interception Another Monster Class Performance ✨️
Peaceking1234
434
No Pogba🎩, No Problem 💯💯 Tchouaméni💎's around💯💯
Peaceking1234
431
Tchouaméni💎 carrying France's Midfield be like👇💯
Shmonny
407
ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the perfect combination of N'golo Kante, Pogba Pogba, and casem His name is Aurélien Tchouameni.
AladeHammed
392
Tchoamaeni 🗣Don't touch me... You refused to join Real Madrid 🤣😂😂😂
Peaceking1234
317
Kylian Mbappe , Dembele ,Tchouaméni, Camavinga , Griezman etc Can we all agree France🔵🔴⚪ have The Best National Team💯 in the World💯
GobindaRanaXettri
312
An Ireland fan held up a Lionel Messi Argentina shirt during their 2-0 defeat to France at the Parc des Princes 😭
eggosa91
307
That goal his treavling into tomorrow and beyond 😳
Doxmang
259
🇫🇷 Aurélien Tchouaméni vs Ireland: • 1 goal • 94% passing accuracy • 3 ground duels won • 1 interception • 4 tackles ⭐️💯✍️ Young King, @atchouameni🫅🤝🔥
Doxmang
209
TCHOUAMENI GOLAZO AND MBAPPE ASSIST 🔥 What a goal for France 🇫🇷 Blood of Hala Madrid ✍️🤠🤝🙌🔥🌹
AnotherKenyan
101
Kylian Mbappe the next big thing 🐐
Peaceking1234
73
With Tchouaméni💎in your Midfield🎩, you have the Best Midfield💯 in the World💯💯👌😏