Melvine Malard sparks France fightback as Elisa De Almeida struggles in Ireland ratings | OneFootball

Melvine Malard came off the bench to score twice as France won 2-1 in Ireland, while Elisa De Almeida endured a rough night. L'Équipe’s player ratings underlined the contrast between the match-winner and the struggling defender.

Ireland led on 12 minutes when Emily Murphy set up Katie McCabe, who started and finished the move. De Almeida had been booked in the third minute for a challenge on Murphy, and McCabe saw yellow on 14 for a heavy tackle on the defender. A flashpoint between McCabe and Sakina Karchaoui on 40 minutes added needle.

After the break, a McCabe free-kick found Caitlin Hayes for a header that was beaten away by the goalkeeper on 58 minutes.

Malard replaced Perle Morroni on 68 minutes and levelled on 71 with a slaloming run after Sandy Baltimore’s pass. She struck again on 79, finishing after a Kadidiatou Diani effort deflected in the box.

De Almeida was exposed on the Irish goal and made way for Melween N'Dongala on 69 minutes. Clara Mateo, preferred to Marie-Antoinette Katoto, struggled physically and was withdrawn at half-time, with Katoto later making a crucial goal-line clearance from Denise O'Sullivan at 90+3. Emily Murphy remained combative, though Thiniba Samoura contained her better after the interval.

Ireland keeper Courtney Brosnan had little to do before the interval as France failed to hit the target with eight attempts, but she might have done better with both of Malard’s finishes, the visitors’ only efforts on goal.

Source: L'Équipe