France vs Republic of Ireland: EURO 2016 Round of 16 Preview & Prediction

Hosts France take on the Republic of Ireland in the knockout stages of Euro 2016 on Sunday afternoon, in a game which is sure to evoke memories of their last controversial meeting in 2009.

On that occasion, a World Cup 2010 play-off second leg, French legend Thierry Henry’s deliberate handball created a last-gasp winning goal for his side and denied the Irish a penalty shootout opportunity to qualify for the tournament.

The uproar that followed was significant, with Ireland’s desperate appeals to FIFA for a re-match falling on deaf ears. The FAI’s chief executive John Delaney claimed last year that FIFA paid them €5m in ‘compensation’ so that they’d drop legal action over the incident, a story FIFA rejected.

Needless to say, the opportunity to knock France out of their own tournament will be one to savour for Ireland’s supporters, but of course their players must remain calm and focus on the game as if it were any other.

The hosts qualified for the last 16 after just two of their three group games, following late victories over Romania and Albania. Didier Deschamps’ side closed things out with a goalless draw with Switzerland after resting some of their key players.

The Republic’s group campaign was in complete contrast, as they secured qualification with an impressive 1-0 win over Italy after gaining just one point in their first two games, with Robbie Brady the hero for Martin O’Neill’s men after he headed in from Wes Hoolahan’s cross.

Sunday’s clash in Lyon is the first time the two sides have met in a major tournament, with all previous matches being in World Cup qualifying or international friendlies. Les Bleus have won six, Ireland four and five have been drawn. France are unbeaten in the last five meetings.

This is the first time that the Boys in Green have made the knockout stages of a European Championship having twice previously fallen at the group stage. France, meanwhile, won the Championships on the previous occasion they hosted it (1984) and added to that success by winning the 1998 World Cup on home soil.

West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet has been the France hero so far. Photo: Mark Leech/Offside

Team News:

Deschamps is set to recall the likes of Dimitri Payet, Blaise Matuidi and N’Golo Kante after resting them in the draw with Switzerland. Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud and defender Adil Rami have recovered from knocks and are also likely to start.

O’Neill could be boosted by the return of Stoke forward and talisman Jonathan Walters after an Achilles injury, but Stephen Ward is a doubt with an ankle injury sustained in the win over the Italians on Wednesday.

FIFA World Ranking: France – 17th; Republic of Ireland – 33rd
Previous Meeting: France 1-1 Republic of Ireland (November 18, 2009 – World Cup 2010 play-off second leg)
Form: France – WWWWWD; Republic of Ireland – DDLDLW
Key Men: France – Dimitri Payet; Republic of Ireland – Shane Long
Shoot Says: France 1-0 Republic of Ireland