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France vs Republic of Ireland. European Championships Round of 16.

Stade des LumieresAttendance56,279.

France 2

  • A Griezmann (57th minute, 61st minute)

Republic of Ireland 1

  • R Brady (2nd minute pen)
  • S Duffy (sent off 66th minute)

France 2-1 Republic of Ireland: Antoine Griezmann fires hosts into Euro 2016 last eight

Dejected Republic of Ireland players including Seamus Coleman and Shane Long
Image: Republic of Ireland have been knocked out of Euro 2016 in the last 16

Antoine Griezmann scored twice in four minutes as France came from behind to beat Republic of Ireland 2-1 and reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.

Ireland made a perfect start in Lyon as Robbie Brady converted a penalty in just the second minute after Paul Pogba's clumsy foul on Shane Long.

It took France until the second half to respond, with Griezmann heading in an equaliser in the 57th minute and scoring again shortly afterwards to put the hosts ahead.

Shane Duffy was then shown a straight red card for a last-ditch foul on Griezmann and France held on to book a quarter-final against either England or Iceland on July 3.

Neither N'Golo Kante nor Adil Rami will be available for that tie after picking up bookings against Ireland.

But for a while it did not look like that would matter as Martin O'Neill's side led for most of the first half, with goalkeeper Darren Randolph rarely troubled.

Robbie Brady of Republic of Ireland celebrates scoring the opening goal
Image: Robbie Brady celebrates scoring the opening goal for Ireland

Having named an unchanged team to the one that beat Italy to qualify for the last 16, Ireland took the lead after two minutes, with Brady firing a penalty in off the inside of the post after Pogba fouled Long.

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France pressed for a quick response as Griezmann headed over the bar from Pogba's cross.

But it was Ireland who went closest as France looked unconvincing at the back from a throw-in and Daryl Murphy hit a volley across goal that Hugo Lloris dived to palm away.

Daryl Murphy shoots on goal for Republic of Ireland against France
Image: Daryl Murphy takes a shot at goal during the match in Lyon

The hosts struggled to mount any sustained pressure and suffered setbacks as both Rami and Kante received bookings that will see them suspended for the quarter-final.

Ireland threatened again as Duffy headed wide from a free-kick, before France finished the half with Dimitri Payet and Griezmann having shots blocked inside the box.

Kante was replaced at the break by Kingsley Coman and the hosts raised the tempo.

Antoine Griezmann equalises for France against Republic of Ireland at Euro 2016
Image: Antoine Griezmann heads in the equaliser during the second half

Laurent Koscielny headed a good chance wide after a free-kick was flicked to the back post, but Ireland also looked threatening as James McClean's cross was turned away by Lloris.

Randolph then saved from Blaise Matuidi before France got the breakthrough, Griezmann heading home from Bacary Sagna's cross.

Antoine Griezmann (top) of France celebrates scoring his team's first goal
Image: Griezmann celebrates after scoring for France

Just four minutes later it was 2-1 as both Ireland centre-backs went up to challenge Olivier Giroud for a header, leaving Griezmann space to collect the loose ball and finish past Randolph.

It got worse for Ireland shortly afterwards as Duffy brought down Griezmann on the edge of the box and was shown a straight red card.

Republic of Ireland's Shane Duffy is shown a red card against France
Image: Shane Duffy is shown red for a foul on Griezmann

From then on it was largely one-way traffic with Andre-Pierre Gignac hitting the bar and missing a couple of decent opportunities to put the game to bed.

The misses did not prove costly as France held out comfortably enough against a tiring Ireland.

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