Eoin Harrington reporting from the Stade Saint-Symphorien in Metz
France 1-0 Ireland
It was always going to be a tough start for Ireland in their quest to reach EURO 2025, and they were met with a French siege in Metz on Friday night.
France had the vast majority of the ball at the Stade Saint-Symphorien - not entirely a surprise, but it presented a huge physical and mental challenge as Ireland made the step up to League A.
Ultimately, an early goal from French superstar Marie-Antoinette Katoto was the difference, as Les Bleues ran out 1-0 winners.
Ireland's defensive grit deserved credit on a night when many of France's biggest stars saw their influence nullified in front of a reasonable - and vocal - home crowd.
Nonetheless, it was equally a night which laid bare just how difficult it will be for Ireland to create scoring chances in this historically difficult group.
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France 1-0 Ireland: WNT player ratings
Courtney Brosnan - 7.5
Drew the ire of the French crowd with her apparent timewasting even in the first half - and she was eventually booked when it persisted in the second period.
5 April 2024; Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan makes a save during the UEFA Women's European Championship qualifying group A match between France and Republic of Ireland at Stade Saint-Symphorien in Metz, France. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Commanded her box well and made an impressive save from Toletti's stinging effort on 33 minutes. Similarly did well to get down low to her left to stop a dipping header. Made another outstanding save in injury-time to stop France from going two ahead.
Heather Payne - 5
Struggled in the first half, as France sent much of their attacking force down Payne's flank. Gave away the foul which led to Katoto's opener and exhibited more than a few nervy moments in and out of possession early on, which France exploited well.
Moved up to the right of the midfield four when Campbell came in at half-time. She continued to struggle, and was withdrawn for Kiernan just after the hour.
Caitlin Hayes - 5.5
Suffered somewhat in tandem with Payne on the right of Ireland's defence, but did step in on a few occasions to steady the ship after Payne was bypassed. At fault for the French goal, failing to deal with the run of Lakrar at the back post.
6 min: France 1-0 Ireland - Ireland fail to deal with a free-kick and Antoinette Katoto nips in to score
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Louise Quinn - 6
Most of France's attacks came down either flank, meaning Quinn in the centre of defence had a somewhat quieter evening than her centre-back counterparts. Assured as ever defensively, though a few passes did not come off as she may have intended.
Anna Patten - 6
The bolter in this squad was thrown in from the start straight away. Though she was dangerously indecisive in possession on occasion, her defensive work complimented Mannion well down the right flank. Encouraging.
Aoife Mannion - 6.5
5 April 2024; Sandie Toletti of France in action against Aoife Mannion, left, and Katie McCabe of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA Women's European Championship qualifying group A match between France and Republic of Ireland at Stade Saint-Symphorien in Metz, France. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Mannion has earned her place in the Ireland team thanks to strong performances of late for Manchester United, and she put her hand up for a regular spot in the team by executing the unfamiliar role of left wing-back impressively on Friday.
Switched to the right flank at the beginning of the second-half, with Payne pushing up. Booked late on, with her mistimed slide tackle stopping Diani from going through on goal on the break.
Emily Murphy - 5
As predicted, Ireland did not see much of the ball in Metz, and Murphy was among those we saw in possession the most seldom. Nonetheless, she did well enough when called upon to act as a sixth body in defence. Lost in midfield, and taken off at half-time as part of a wider system change.
Megan Connolly - 6
France were frantic in their press, and the relentless pace of the game caused some Irish players to panic when they regained possession, resulting in quick returns of the ball to the French. Connolly was not one of those players.
She was a rare assured and calm presence in possession and found a few nice cross-field passes to Payne and Murphy in the best of Ireland's first-half attacking play
Denise O'Sullivan - 6
The crux of Ireland's central play as always, but her passes were often awry, and she failed to find Carusa in behind with through balls on multiple occasions. Nonetheless, she did generally match the composure of Connolly alongside her in possession and saw more of the ball than most on the Irish team.
Booked on 55 minutes for a clumsy challenge right on the edge of the area.
Katie McCabe - 6
5 April 2024; Katie McCabe of Republic of Ireland before the UEFA Women's European Championship qualifying group A match between France and Republic of Ireland at Stade Saint-Symphorien in Metz, France. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Made an exciting break into the French box thanks to a clever dummy on 13 minutes, but was limited in her attacking play aside from that. Did well to link with O'Sullivan and Connolly, though a few misplaced passes set up France to break.
Should have been played through to score late on, with Leanne Kiernan failing to see her wide open with only the keeper to beat. That was the moment the game got away from Ireland.
Kyra Carusa - 5.5
Hard enough to rate given she saw so little of the ball but her runs in behind did at least see her in the right areas. Her teammates struggled to find her, however, and her influence was largely nullified as a result. Withdrawn for Barrett just after the hour.
Substitutes
Megan Campbell (on for Murphy, h/t) - 6
Generally solid, and her introduction allowed Mannion to move into a slightly more familiar role. Gave away a clumsy foul just before the hour mark.
Leanne Kiernan (on for Payne, 64') - 5.5
Her pace in behind and ability to get the ball out of feet quickly were both important in the subtle change in tempo Ireland brought on the break late in the second half.
Should have squared the ball to a wide-open McCabe late on, in what was Ireland's best chance at an equaliser.
Amber Barrett (on for Carusa, 64') - n/a
Lasted only nine minutes after pulling up when racing at the French defence. Tough to take for a player only just back in the fold.
Lucy Quinn (on for Barrett, 73') - 6
Got on the ball with surprising frequency, and did well to intercept Peyraud-Magnin's wayward clearance and send Kiernan towards goal late on.
Jessie Stapleton (on for Mannion, 90') - n/a
Not on long enough to rate.
The other game in Ireland's group finished in a 1-1 draw between England and Sweden at Wembley
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