Ireland were outclassed by a sparkling France side who cruised to a 2-0 Euro 2024 qualifying victory at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
It took the home side just 19 minutes to make their dominance count as Aurélien Tchouameni curled home a classy effort from the edge of the box.
Ireland managed to keep it to a minimum at the break, however, the contest was all but over three minutes after the restart as Marcus Thuram added a second from close range.
Stephen Kenny's side committed bodies forward looking for an avenue back into the contest but they rarely looked like threatening with Chiedozie Ogbene coming the closest to narrowing the gap.
Five wins out of five for the table-topping French as Ireland now must beat the Netherlands on Sunday night to harbour any hopes of qualification.
Aurélien Tchouameni curls home France's first goal
Ireland set out with real intent and literally ran at the hosts from the kick-off as they charged through the centre with Chiedozie Ogbene getting chopped down inside the opening seconds – the free into the box easily cleared, however.
Ireland maintained an early press, yet the first chance of the game fell to France as Adrien Rabiot's third-minute shot was saved following a fine crossfield ball from Mbappe to Ousmane Dembele.
A minute later, the first long ball down the left sent Mbappe flying down the flank with Browne well beaten for pace, likewise the covering central defender Collins.
Ireland got away with a corner, which led to a chance for Mbappe at the back post but it was hard to keep down, following Adam Idah's glancing clearance, and flew over the bar.
But it was quickly turning into the Mbappe show as the PSG man, playing on his home turf, wanted the ball at every opportunity, happy also to cut inside to leave space for the ever-advanced Theo Hernández.
Ten minutes in, finally a bit of possession for Ireland as Idah was sent clear with Browne up supporting. The move went nowhere, but there was just enough in it to allow a small bit of frustration creep into the home support.
Mbappe was sent tumbling in the 14th minute following a slightly late Jayson Molumby challenge. Griezmann’s resulting clever free with pace deceived everyone, and hopped up off Bazunu’s chest and was eventually cleared.
Ireland remained intent on closing the space high up the pitch and while it was an energetic effort, it was bringing some rewards as Nathan Collins collected and took the ball into midfield, sending Ogbene towards the penalty area. Again the run into the box was halted by blue jerseys behind the ball.
In the 18th minute, Idah appeared to be fouled collecting the ball, however, the referee allowed play to continue with France attacking down the right flank.
The home side kept the pressure on and a minute later another attack from the right as Dembele’s ball into the box was dealt with, but Collins’ flicked header only went as far as Mbappe on the edge of the penalty area.
The gifted France star just rolled the ball inside to set up the arriving Tchouameni, who curled an unstoppable effort beyond Bazunu and into the far corner of the net.
Ireland had a moment to regroup as Olivier Giroud needed treatment, gathering around the management team with Keith Andrews and John O’Shea busy getting their thoughts across.
Thankfully for Ireland, the tempo dropped a touch with less intensity in the French attacks, yet they were still the team playing with the confidence and the intent, while also happy to leave a boot in to prevent any quick counters.
A shot was eventually worked on target, but Mbappe’s tame effort was easily handled by Bazunu; the space to shoot unchallenged from distance again the real concern.
The ball was in the net again in the 39th minute with Mbappe racing through the centre before smashing it low past Bazunu who could not get enough on it to stop it crossing the line, but the goal was ruled out for a clear offside.
Browne delivered a fine free at real pace into the box two minutes before the break, however, the French defending had been flawless thus far and so it continued as the dangerous ball was dealt with.
Another France attack down the right would follow but Ireland had bodies in the box to deal with the low ball into the box.
Four minutes of added time were negotiated as Ireland would take heart in the fact that there was only one goal in it at the break.
Thuram doubles France's lead after the break
James McClean came on for Enda Stevens at the break, the Stoke City man had needed attention during the first half, but France picked up where they left off in the first half, pushing deep into the Ireland half,
Two minutes in and Mbappe went to ground inside the box, claiming a penalty, but the referee was not interested. Ireland attempted to counter but the ball came straight back into the crowded box as Mbappe was back on his feet to help a shot goalwards.
Ireland had bodies in the box, but amidst the scramble the ball fell to Marcus Thuram with his back to goal, and with a quick swivel, the France substitute turned and lifted the ball high into the net to double the advantage.
Finally a chance for Ireland as Idah raced clear, supported by McClean who produced an excellent delivery to find Ogbene at the back post.
The Luton striker's downward header brought the best out of Mike Maignan to get down to his right and make a fine save.
Ireland followed up with a corner, leading to another Ogbene chance, but this time his curling effort flew just over the bar.
Mbappe should have made it three in the 55th minute but he was unable to connect with Hernandez’s clever, low ball across the six-yard box.
The striker, now playing quite centrally, was then one-on-one with Bazunu, but he curled the ball wide of the post – the offside flag eventually raised.
Ireland were committing bodies forward, which was a real gamble against a side renowned for their counter-attacking prowess, but in reality, they were unable to sustain any sort of pressure inside the France half, and they spent the next ten minutes embedded deep in their own territory defending the constant onslaught from the home side, with the best effort coming in the 67th minute as Bazunu had to stop a powerful Tchouameni effort.
Will Keane and Dara O’Shea were sent on with Adam Idah and Jayson Molumby making way, allowing Browne to push into midfield.
But the change had little effect, as France kept the foot on the gas with two chances inside a minute as first Dembele crashed one off the near post after skipping past McClean, before Griezmann’s close-range flick was blocked en route to goal in the 73rd minute.
Aaron Connolly came on for the injured Keane, while Festy Ebosele got a handful of minutes to make an impact – skipping past Griezmann in the closing stages, a rare bright spot for Ireland in the second half.
The resulting free in the 87th minute really had to have an impact if Ireland were going to make the end of the game interesting, but Egan’s header was easily gathered by the well-placed Maignan.
With the points wrapped up, Mbappe continued to push for a goal to complement his performance, however, his 89th-minute shot flew over the bar.
Six minutes of additional time would have to be negotiated as France came close twice more with Thuram missing a close-range free header before Mbappe’s stinging shot was bravely headed clear by Shane Duffy.
Substitute Kingsley Coman looked to have the final say, however, his shot flew over the bar to call time on what was a commanding and convincing performance from the home side.
Ireland now need to lick their wounds and quickly regroup for Sunday’s do or die clash with the Dutch who will be arriving into Dublin full of confidence following their comprehensive victory over Greece.
France: Mike Maignan; Jules Koundé (Benjamin Pavard 89), Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Hernández (William Saliba 72), Theo Hernández; Aurélien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot; Antoine Griezmann (Eduardo Camavinga 89), Kylian Mbappé (capt), Ousmane Dembélé (Kingsley Coman 72), Olivier Giroud (Marcus Thuram 26)
Ireland: Gavin Bazunu; Nathan Collins, Shane Duffy, John Egan (capt); Alan Browne, Enda Stevens (James McClean HT), Josh Cullen, Jayson Molumby (Dara O’Shea 67), Jason Knight; Chiedozie Ogbene (Festy Ebosele 84), Adam Idah (Will Keane 67 (Aaron Connolly 78)
Referee: Urs Dominik Schnyder (SUI)
