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France extended its perfect start to its European Championship qualifying campaign to five matches with a 2-0 win over Ireland on Thursday. A spot at the Euro 2024 in Germany next summer now looks almost secured for France. They have been rock solid so far and have not conceded a goal, topping Group B with 15 points and a nine-point lead over the Netherlands and Greece. The Dutch defeated their Greek rivals 3-0, and still have two matches in hand.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Marcus Thuram scored France's goals at the Parc des Princes. The game was played at Paris Saint-Germain's stadium because of the Rugby World Cup's opening game scheduled for Friday at the Stade de France. Giroud's 125th appearance did not last long as he was replaced by Thuram after just 25 minutes with an apparent ankle injury following contact with an Irish player.
A direct free kick from Antoine Griezmann almost caught Gavin Bazunu off guard. The Ireland goalkeeper managed to clear the ball with his chest. There was not much Bazunu could do three minutes later when Tchouameni made the most of Mbappe's back pass just outside the box to curl a superb 25-meter shot inside the far post.
Mbappe scored a goal but it was ruled offside. Thuram made it 2-0 in the 48th from the rebound after Mbappe's shot from inside the box was blocked. France goalkeeper Mike Maignan then secured another clean sheet with a reflex save to deny Ogbene's header.