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The Republic of Ireland have suffered a 2-nil defeat to France in this evening’s international friendly in Paris.<\/p>\nThe Republic of Ireland have suffered a 2-nil defeat to France in this evening’s international friendly in Paris.<\/p>\n
Martin O’Neill handed a senior Republic of Ireland debut to Blackburn defender Derrick Williams in tonight’s friendly.<\/p>\n
The 25-year-old lined up in a side which included only four of the men – Seamus Coleman, Shane Duffy, James McClean and Shane Long – who faced the same opposition in the last 16 at Euro 2016.<\/p>\n
Millwall midfielder Shaun Williams and Shamrock Rovers forward Graham Burke also won their first caps for Ireland when they came on during the game.<\/p>\n
France boss Didier Deschamps left N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba out of his starting line-up, but included fit-again Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy and named a front three of Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud and Nabil Fekir.<\/p>\n
Two quickfire goals gave France a 2-0 lead at the interval against a Republic side that had only 17% possession.<\/p>\n
It was largely one-way traffic in the French capital and Olivier Giroud gave the hosts a deserved lead in the 41st minute, stabbing home on the rebound after Seamus Coleman had cleared the Chelsea striker’s header off the line.<\/p>\n
France’s second came courtesy of a goalkeeping error as Colin Doyle was unable to keep out a Nabil Fekir strike that went straight at him in the 44th minute.<\/p>\n
The Republic were unable to mount a fightback in the second half as they were beaten 2-0.<\/p>\n