France 0 Ireland 0
Ireland: Brosnan; Mannion, Patten, Hayes, Connolly, Mustaki; Murphy, Sheva, O’Sullivan, McCabe; Carusa
France: Picaud; Sombath, Samoura, Lakrar, Bacha; Geyoro, Karchaoui, Jean-Francois; Cascarino, Malard, Baltimore
27 mins: Chance for France after Connolly loses the ball 30 metres out, three on three, Malard gives to Cascarino whose shot is blocked by Hayes, then Baltimore shoots over the bar.
23 mins: Nearly a disaster as Emily Murphy passes back to the goalkeeper but Brosnan is not where she thought it was and it rolls ominously towards the empty goal. Brosnan gets back in time though and crisis averted.
17 mins: Carusa wins a free-kick after a long ball and it’s a bit of territory for Ireland. They use that opportunity to keep possession, Carusa then gets pushed over and looked like it could be a foul. Then they win it back and O’Sullivan and Murphy mix up, with Murphy on the ground but no foul there, no complaints.
13 mins: Bacha, who can hit one, fires one dangerously towards goal from outside the box, and Hayes is there to block again. Some fine defending by Ireland so far, but nothing going on in attack.
10 mins: Another chance for France as Malard shoots in the box on the run, good save by Brosnan. Baltimore is a menace and wins another corner, which is floated in but headed away well by Patten.
7 mins: Not the best start by O’Sullivan by her high standards, lucky to get away without a yellow after another foul, this time for high foot. Bacha plays a quick free into Cascarino but McCabe blocks well. Ireland up against it early on.
4 mins: Mannion is skinned by Baltimore in the first minute on the left wing and puts in a low cross which is cleared by Patten, then O’Sullivan fouls Karchaoui in a dangerous area. Hayes clears it away then Baltimore is twinkle toes again, chaotic start. O’Sullivan loses the ball and Karchaoui advances up the pitch, Cascarino gets crowded out but gets to Geyoro, whose shot is straight at Brosnan.
The teams are coming out on the pitch. Big 90 minutes in Irish football ahead.
La Marsaillaise and Amhrán na bhFiann being belted out by the teams in Grenoble.
Here is how the group looks before tonight’s game:
2027 Uefa World Cup qualifying Group A2. Source: Uefa
With five games played in the group, France are on top with 10 points, Ireland are on nine points and the Netherlands are on eight points. Poland are bottom on one point.
Ireland will advance to the playoffs no matter if they draw 1-1 or lose 6-0 in Grenoble, which makes the game a free shot of sorts at the ultimate prize. France, however, despite leading the group, may also have to win to qualify because a draw would leave them open to being passed out by the Netherlands, who play Poland at the same time. Netherlands have a better head-to-head record against France.
General view inside the stadium at Stade des Alpes in Grenoble, France. Photograph: Catherine Steenkeste/Getty General view inside the stadium at Stade des Alpes in Grenoble, France. Photograph: Catherine Steenkeste/Getty
The stadium tonight is fittingly called Stade des Alpes, quite the view for the spectators.
The Ireland team is out! Murphy starts over Larkin.
Ireland: Brosnan; Mannion, Patten, Hayes, Connolly, Mustaki; Murphy, Sheva, O’Sullivan, McCabe; Carusa
France: Picaud; Sombath, Samoura, Lakrar, Bacha; Geyoro, Karchaoui, Jean-Francois; Cascarino, Malard, Baltimore
No sign of the team yet, so here’s Gavin Cooney’s preview to the game.
“For the ground beneath Ireland’s feet is steady and firm. Last Friday’s rollicking, rain-drenched victory over the Netherlands means Ireland are guaranteed a favourable playoff route to next year’s World Cup in Brazil. Against France, Ireland have, in Ward’s own words, “nothing to lose and everything to gain”.
“The potential gain is outlandish. Beat France and Ireland will top their League A group and become one of just four European sides to qualify directly for the World Cup. A draw or defeat means Ireland will go to the playoffs, but no outcome will alter the fact that they have secured the most favourable repechage path possible.”
[ Ireland can pull off astonishing World Cup qualification if they beat FranceOpens in new window ]
One of the main selection dilemmas for Ward is to choose between Abbie Larkin or Emily Murphy for tonight’s game. Murphy has been impressive in the campaign overall, but Larkin was the most decisive attacking player against the Netherlands. Either way, they are good options to have, especially with Leanne Kiernan missing through suspension. Denise O’Sullivan should return to the side after serving her suspension. The starting line-ups should be available in about half an hour.
Ireland’s Abbie Larkin. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Republic of Ireland’s final game of 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifying Group A2 at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble. The objective is simple for Carla Ward’s side, beat France by any score and they will qualify for the World Cup in Brazil next year. Only the group winners qualify automatically, which becomes a possibility after Ireland’s impressive 3-2 victory over the Netherlands on Friday.
It would be an incredible achievement to do so in a tough group including two teams who were in the top 10 of the Fifa world rankings when qualification began. By comparison, the men’s World Cup had 12 automatic qualifiers. If they fail to win, then the playoffs beckon, where they will have a decent chance of qualifying with a seeded draw for it. But nothing can be taken for granted, and a one-off game to qualify is exactly the sort of opportunity players dream about. It won’t be easy against a strong French side, but this Irish side are capable of upsetting the odds. Kick-off is at 8pm Irish time (9pm local).
