Ireland have gone crashing out of the Euro 2016 round of 16 after losing 2-1 to France in Lyon.
Robbie Brady’s early penalty gave Ireland fans hope, but the host nation’s heavy pressure eventually paid off as a brace for Antoine Griezmann in the second half was enough to see them secure safe passage into the quarter-finals.
It was a valiant tournament from the Irish team with the likes of Robbie Brady and Wes Hoolahan in particular elevating themselves to Irish national heroes with their performances in France. The man between the posts, Darren Randolph, had a pretty good Euros too.
Someone learned a thing or two from Payet https://t.co/qplSZupmOg
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 23, 2016
For many fans, Darren Randolph was Ireland’s man of the match on Sunday. Although he conceded twice, the shot-stopper’s heroics prevented the dominant French, who were enjoying much more freedom after Shane Duffy’s red card half way through the second half, from winning by a cricket score.
Les Bleus piled on the pressure racking up over 20 shots in total, 12 of which were on target.
The highlight for Randolph may well have been plucking that Paul Pogba free kick that looked destined to fire straight into the top corner out of the air with ease and really, he couldn’t have done much to stop either French goal.
SHOT MAP: #FRA have peppered Darren Randolph's goal with 18 shots so far.
Busy afternoon. pic.twitter.com/JzcDHWzCmt
— Squawka (@Squawka) June 26, 2016
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