For almost an hour, this match was essentially one long double take at the scoreboard with Ireland leading 1-0 through Robbie Brady’s second minute penalty. The Boys in Green played admirably but came undone when French hero Antoine Griezmann powered home a header in the 57 minute. Griezmann quickly added to his total with the go ahead goal in the 61 minute.
Shane Duffy was sent off for denying Griezmann a clear goal scoring opportunity in the 66 minute, and France rarely looked troubled as they saw out the game in Lyon.
Robbie Brady’s Second Minute Penalty
Antoine Griezmann’s 57 Minute Goal
Antoine Griezmann 61 Minute Goal
Griezmann, who plays his club football with Atletico Madrid in Spain, drew level with Spain’s Alvaro Morata and Wales’s Gareth Bale as the top goalscorer at the tournament with three goals.
The Stade des Lumières was an image of French passion; nearly 60,000 supporters displayed the tricolor flag and sang in voice for 90 minutes. After the monotonous games of Saturday, the knockout rounds appear to have sprung to life thanks to the attacking talents of Griezmann, Dimitri Payet and Kingsley Coman.
Great shot of the fan zone at the Eiffel Tower as Griezmann put #FRA ahead #FRAIRL #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/xOm3QOiZNy
— Football Vines (@FootballVines) June 26, 2016
France now await the winners of England vs. Iceland. That quarter-final match which will take place on July 3.
For Ireland, the tournament will go down as a resounding success both on and off the pitch. Their victory over Italy was an early highlight of the tournament, and they performed with conviction and bravery against tournament favorites France.
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