Halftime bust-up sees France come back over Ireland

Didier Deschamps says France must strike a balance for the Euro 2016 quarters after a halftime bust up inspired their win over Ireland.

France’s Antoine Griezmann celebrates a goal against Ireland

Didier Deschamps says “crazy’’ France must strike a balance for the Euro 2016 quarter-finals after a halftime bust-up inspired their 2-1 comeback win over Ireland.

There were heated words in the French dressing-room in Lyon at halftime after an early Robbie Brady penalty put the Irish 1-0 up at the break.

With the hosts starring down the barrel of an early exit, Deschamps read his side the riot act, while senior players demanded more from Les Bleus.

“We had a bad first half, but a few things were said at halftime,” said Antoine Griezmann, the man of the match, who scored both their goals. “It was stormy.”

Deschamps admitted he raised his voice at halftime to demand his side raise the tempo as flared tempers translated into a swift fightback.

The call-to-arms was answered in emphatic style as Deschamps deployed Kingsley Coman on the right wing and moved Griezmann closer to striker Olivier Giroud.

The tactical switch worked a treat as Atletico Madrid’s Griezmann powered a header home on 68 minutes.

Ireland struggled to contain France’s new-found energy and four minutes later Giroud headed down into Griezmann’s path to slam home the winning goal.

The Irish were reduced to 10 men after Shane Duffy's red card for a foul with Griezmann through on goal.

Freed of his duties on the right wing and moved into the forward position he fills at Atletico, Griezmann cut an impressive figure in the second half and he is keen to continue in the role in the quarter-final against England or Iceland.

“The manager brought Kingsley on, he caused some damage, I was closer to the striker and I hope we continue that way,” said Griezmann.

“I don’t care if I play on the left or right or in the middle. But it’s true that being further up the pitch is where I normally play, so it’s easier for me.”

“We put our heart and soul into the game,” Ireland coach Martin O’Neill said.

“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.”

Meanwhile, Germany coach Joachim Loew appears to have found the right formula to get his attack firing at Euro 2016 after Julian Draxler’s outstanding contribution in a 3-0 win over Slovakia.

The 22-year-old Wolfsburg attacking midfielder was the man of the match as Germany produced arguably their slickest performance since winning the 2014 World Cup to clinch a place in the quarter-finals.

After Jerome Boateng’s early opener, Mesut Ozil had a 13th-minute penalty saved before Draxler intervened with an assist and a goal to set the world champions up for a last-eight date with Italy or Spain.

Playing on the left wing, Draxler combined superbly with Jonas Hector before cutting the ball back for Mario Gomez to double Germany’s lead just before halftime.

AFP