Euro 2016 round of 16: France 2-1 Ireland – What they said

Sport360 staff 21:54 26/06/2016
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  • Antoine Griezmann broke Irish hearts with two second-half goals as France came from behind to claim a 2-1 win over ten-man Republic of Ireland and move into the Euro 2016 quarter-finals on.

    Robbie Brady, who had netted the Republic’s winner against Italy, had converted a penalty with just two minutes gone to give the Irish a shock lead.

    Victory in the last 16 clash at the Stade de Lyon means France face either Iceland or England in the Stade de France quarter-final next Sunday.

    What did you make of the match? Get in touch, use #360fans on social media.

    Read the full match report, click here.

    DIDIER DESCHAMPS, France manager

    “I can raise my voice at half-time.

    “We needed to keep things calm, but also shake things up a bit.

    “We were all shouting each other on after the penalty and we knew we had to improve.

    “Sometimes it’s difficult. When you concede a penalty at the start of a match it made us tense and the Irish can play a bit.

    “It was hard for us too, but mission accomplished.

    “You shouldn’t be too calculated. The players need discipline but sometimes we’re better when we go a bit crazy.

    “We really speeded things up and that’s when we are most dangerous.

    Didier Deschamps.

    Didier Deschamps.

    ANTOINE GRIEZMANN, France striker

    “We had a bad first half but a few things were said at half-time.

    “It was stormy,” added the Atletico Madrid striker who hit two goals in four minutes after the clear-the-air break.

    “In the second half, we were more like a team which wanted to fight until the end.

    “The manager brought Kingsley Coman on and he caused some damage. I was closer to the striker and the penalty area.

    “I hope we continue that way.”

    MARTIN O’NEILL, Ireland manager

    “Naturally, we’re disappointed given the position we got ourselves into.”

    “Maybe if we had gone a few more minutes without conceding, France might have got a bit panicky, but then they scored in quick succession.

    “We put our heart and soul into the game, which has become almost a prerequisite for us.

    “Some of the younger players have come of age and it’s down to them now.

    “Reaching the last 16 is a good achievement and it’s something to build on.

    “It’s an incredible advantage for one team to have, but that said, France are a fine team and good luck to them in the tournament.

    “The fans have been wonderful in our four games and I believe they gave extra energy to the players throughout the tournament.

    “The players mentioned their support in the warm-up against Sweden, before our first game, and that’s continued until the end.

    “They (the fans) have behaved themselves brilliantly and been a credit to the country.”

    Martin O'Neill.

    Martin O’Neill.

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