Chiedozie Ogbene was left to reflect on what might have been after the Republic of Ireland were beaten 2-0 by France in their Euro 2024 qualifier in Paris.
On what was a tough night for Stephen Kenny's men, Ogbene was the outstanding player, causing problems for the French defence with his aggressive running while helping to shackle Kylian Mbappe at the other end of the pitch.
Goals either side of half-time from Aurelien Tchouameni and Marcus Thuram decided a one-sided match and afterwards, Ogbene admitted that Ireland were outclassed by Les Bleus.
"It’s a difficult night for us and myself," the Irish player of the match said. "We gave everything out on the pitch today and just came up short.
"I wouldn’t fault the effort, we came up against a world class team, everyone tried their best. We tried to implement our game and I think we were in it at the start but we just came up short."
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Ogbene twice has sight of the France goal as Ireland look to respond to going 2-0 down
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On what was a sweltering evening in Paris, Ogbene ran himself into the ground as he not only carried Ireland's main threat going forward but was also called upon defend and help Alan Browne down the right side.
"That's my role in this team," he said. "Obviously we’re coming up against a world class player [Mbappe] and we show his respect and I know the threats he has.
"The gaffer said to me to give everything I can and when I run out of energy they’ll make the subs. Overall I’m disappointed with the result but I won’t fault the effort, we did everything we could.
"Today’s done we just have to look forward to Sunday."
Ogbene had Ireland’s best chance of the game in the second half when he forced a brilliant save from goalkeeper Mike Maignan after he got his head to a cross from James McClean.
"I just tried to redirect it back from where it came but I didn’t get enough power into it," he said afterwards.
"Being there first of all is a positive but I’m just disappointed in myself, if I could have got enough power in the header, maybe the score and things could have changed.
"But I’m proud of the team, proud of the supporters who can out and support us through thick and thin and I just hope that we can go out on Sunday and get a result for the nation."
Ireland welcome the Netherlands to the Aviva Stadium on Sunday needing a win to keep their faint hopes of qualifying for Euro 2024 alive.
