Griezmann brace breaks Irish hearts, puts France in quarters

Antoine Griezmann scored twice in four minutes as Euro 2016 hosts France came from behind to claim a 2-1 win over ten-man Republic of Ireland yesterday.
 The goal hero said tough words were exchanged at half-time to lay on the last 16 victory that means France face England or Iceland in the Stade de France quarter-final next Sunday.
 Paul Pogba brought Shane Long down within seconds of kickoff and Robbie Brady converted the penalty to put the Irish ahead with just two minutes gone. But Griezmann underlined a superb performance as the main strike threat with two knockout goals in the second half as the hosts floored the Irish.
 It was “annoying” to go behind, Griezmann said. “In the dressing rooms, we had words and that brought out a different French team,” he added.
 “It was difficult for us, because there was a penalty at the start which was a bit of a shock,” French coach Didier Deschamps said, expressing relief at the fightback as French fans celebrated. “We really only woke up after 15 minutes and now we’re going to enjoy watching to see who our quarter-final opponents will be.”
 Ireland’s problems were compounded by playing the last 25 minutes with ten men. Centre-back Shane Duffy was sent off on 66 minutes for bringing down Griezmann, who was through on goal.
 France’s win came at a cost though, as both midfielder N’Golo Kante and defender Adil Rami are suspended for the quarter-final after picking up bookings.
 Defeat means more heartache for the Irish in their first meeting with France since a controversial World Cup play-off in November 2009. Thierry Henry’s infamous handball, dubbed ‘Le Hand of God’, helped seal a 2-1 aggregate victory to send France to South Africa 2010 at Ireland’s expense.
 Yesterday, the Irish came flying out of the traps in Lyon. A long ball caused the French all manner of problems and when Southampton striker Long tried to turn and shoot, Pogba made contact.
 With just 70 seconds played, referee Nicola Rizzoli pointed straight to the spot. Brady was again the darling of the travelling ‘Green Army’ as the Norwich City winger put the Irish ahead with a shot that rebounded off a post.
 It was the fastest goal at a Euro finals since Russia’s Dimitri Kirichenko scored after 67 seconds against Greece in 2004. Celebrations erupted amongst the small band lucky enough to get one of the paltry 4,500 tickets allocated to Irish fans at the 59,000-capacity stadium.
 The hosts responded by laying siege to the Irish goal. Griezmann, twice, and Olivier Giroud both tested Irish goalkeeper Darren Randolph, as did Pogba with a long-range free-kick.
 No quarter was asked or given as things got heated on the pitch with four yellow cards dished out in the first half. Deschamps then injected some pace after the break by bringing on fleet-footed winger Kingsley Coman for N’Golo Kante.
 The French played at a much higher tempo and Randolph was thoroughly tested by Blaise Matuidi’s shot from just outside the box on 55 minutes. The hosts drew level when Griezmann rose highest to meet Sagna’s pin-point cross on 58 minutes. Randolph got a glove on the bullet header, but it was destined only for the back of the net.
 Griezmann struck again in the 61st minute when Giroud headed down into the Atletico Madrid winger’s path to slam his shot past Randolph.
 With France in top gear, Duffy’s desperate lunge clipped Griezmann’s ankle on the edge of the area and Rizzoli had to show the Irishman the red card on 66 minutes.
 Only Irish determination, and a lack of a final touch, prevented Griezmann from finishing with a hat-trick. “It was stormy,” said Atletico Madrid striker Griezmann after the match. “In the second half, we were more like a team which wanted to fight until the end.”
  “I can raise my voice at half-time,” said French coach Deschamps. “We needed to keep things calm, but also shake things up a bit. The players all got involved in the break, some of whom were on the pitch, they had their part to say in what was said.”
 Griezmann said the penalty, the second quickest goal in Euro history, had shaken France. “We were all shouting each other on after the penalty and we knew we had to improve,” he said.
Griezmann’s strike partner Olivier Giroud said France had had to throw caution to the wind in the second half. “The match was going in their favour (Ireland’s) so we told each other that we mustn’t have any regrets and that we had to lift our game,” the Arsenal forward said.
Deschamps said France got better when they shook off the early tension and went “a bit crazy”.
“Sometimes it’s difficult. When you concede a penalty at the start of a match it made us tense and the Irish can play a bit,” Deschamps said.
Deschamps said the three tight last-16 matches on Saturday, two of which went to extra-time, showed there are no easy games in the tournament.
“It was hard for us too, but mission accomplished,” he said. “You shouldn’t be too calculated. The players need discipline but sometimes we’re better when we go a bit crazy. We really speeded things up and that’s when we are most dangerous.”
A lot of that speed was added by Coman, who was introduced at half-time, and Griezmann said he was delighted with the tactical change. “The manager brought Kingsley Coman on and he caused some damage. I was closer to the striker and the penalty area,” Griezmann said. “I hope we continue that way.”