France 1-0 Ireland ratings: Melvine Malard’s stunner, Constance Picaud-Inconnu the shield | OneFootball

France booked their place at the next World Cup with a hard fought 1-0 win over Ireland, unlocked by Melvine Malard’s brilliance. Constance Picaud-Inconnu then stood tall to preserve the result.

Malard, leading the line, struck with an acrobatic overhead on 40 minutes, her fourth of the campaign. According to L'Équipe, it was her fourth start in six qualifiers. She later slalomed through on 73 before making way for Le Moguédec on 75.

West Ham’s new goalkeeper enjoyed a quiet first half, though she reacted smartly to a loose Samoura pass on 43. After the break she saved well from Sheva on 66, then produced big stops from Patten on 68 and Larkin on 78.

Right back Alice Sombath was assured throughout, helping deliver back to back clean sheets. As Ireland pressed late on, she kept her head while France finished with ten players.

Sandy Baltimore tormented the Irish defence whenever she received the ball, linking neatly with Bacha and Malard. She ended the match at left back and was replaced by Sangaré on 89.

Oriane Jean-François anchored midfield with calm authority and rarely surrendered possession. Her shot inside the box was blocked on 59, and a through ball to Le Moguédec was thwarted by Hayes on 87. Ireland captain Katie McCabe had a quiet night, booked for a foul on N'Dongala on 74, before slicing wide on 77 and seeing a late free kick blocked on 90.

Source: L'Équipe