Ireland 0-1 France: Benjamin Pavard stunner just after the break gives Les Bleus all three points

These two nations are ranked first and second in the rugby union world rankings but, despite a valiant Irish effort, a footballing gulf in class eventually showed here to silence a raucous Dublin crowd.

It was far from the thunderous and pulsating Six Nations clash in this stadium last month.

But Ireland matched France for the majority of this Euro 24 qualifier but were made to pay for one costly error when Burnley midfielder Josh Cullen lost possession in his own penalty area to Benjamin Pavard.

The full back hit a screamer from 20 yards that went in off the underside of the bar and gave goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu had no chance.

Ireland had chances of their own and Mike Maignan made a world-class reflex save with minutes remaining to deny Nathan Collins. 

Pavard’s strike flew in off the crossbar to give the visitors the lead and gave Gavini Bazunu no chance

AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan was called on twice in the dying seconds to deny Ireland an equaliser

The AC Milan goalkeeper dived full stretch to his right to claw the ball away and solidify his claim to replace the retired Hugo Lloris as France’s starting No 1.

Captain Kylian Mbappe barely had a kick and Antoine Griezmann was only noticeable because of his bright pink hair. 

So although Ireland leave with nothing to show for it, they have a mountain of positives to take from this.

Their boss Stephen Kenny promised to fight with ‘fire and ice’ and not ‘accept a slow death’ before this match and his team followed his orders in the first half. 

They were fantastic and, although they ceded much possession, Bazunu barely had a meaningful save to make. 

Veteran captain Seamus Coleman kept Mbappe quiet, while Rotherham winger Chiedozie Ogbene caused problems on the counter-attack.

Southampton goalkeeper Bazunu was Ireland’s star performer and denied both Adrien Rabiot and Moussa Diaby. Aside from that, though, the French barely threatened.

France held on under late pressure from the home side to make it two wins from two games

Ireland were true to Stephen Kenny’s promise of not accepting a ‘slow death’ and fought throughout

Maignan was left with very little to do during the game but was on hand to steer France to victory late on

Veteran Ireland captain Seamus Coleman kept Kylian Mbappe largely quiet in the game

Evan Ferguson showed he is more than a penalty-box predator with some clever hold-up play. 

The 18-year-old warranted the biggest cheer at the Aviva Stadiums as the starting XIs were read out and it is understood Manchester United had sent scouts to watch him.

Ferguson was schooled at the famed St Kevin’s Boys Club in north Dublin and, though this first competitive outing means he is now tied down to Ireland, his international future was never really in doubt.

Considering Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign started with defeats to Serbia and Luxembourg, this was more encouraging and Kenny’s kids will fancy their chances of making the finals in Germany.