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Player Ratings: France 1-1 Ireland AET
Goal.com rates the performers on a tough night for the Irish...
19-Nov-2009 5:00:16 AM
France
Lloris 9 Another fantastic showing for Lyon's number one. Surely the bravest goalkeeper in the world for his contributions on crosses and point-blank saves. France have a lot for which to be grateful.
Sagna 7 A fine outing. Tireless endeavour from the Arsenal man; he gave the French persistent width in attack and punched in a decent shift on his wing, defensively, when Duff pushed inside.
Gallas 6 Suspect in his positioning when defending but came up with the goods when it counted. Always a threat at set-pieces.
Escude n/a
Evra 7.5 Along with Sagna and Anelka, Patrice was among the best in show in Blue. Got forward to support his attack with relish and was a willing outlet all evening.
A Diarra 5 Did most of his work in his own half, pretty effectively, if unspectacularly. Could be accused of being pedestrian and not taking the fight to the Irish on occasion.
L Diarra 5.5 Dominated the midfield on Saturday but was overrun tonight by a spirited Andrews. Committed foul after foul and could not influence the game.
Gourcuff 5 An improvement on his Dublin showing, but that's not saying much. Linked the attack more effectively to the midfield when France had possession but his set-pieces were errant.
Anelka 8 Once again, France's sharpest attacking weapon. Looked like troubling his defender every time he picked up the ball and worried Given with a number of strikes. Deserves his place at a World Cup, finally.
Henry 0 or 10 Depending on your affiliations. Was it a moment of ingenuity and guile? Or a blatant act of cheating? In any case, it did little to mask a pretty anonymous showing for the French example-setter up to that point. So I'll settle on a 5.
Gignac 3 An off night for the Toulouse man. A reverse-Midas evening in that everything he touched turned to rubbish. Wasted his chances and failed to effectively hold the ball in the final third.
Subs
Squillaci 5 Lost Robbie Keane on the opening goal and struggled on the back-foot when the Irish came forward.
Govou 5 Ran the flank well but missed a sitter in the last minute.
Malouda 7 Excellent and accurate set-pieces caused Ireland problems and looked lively in possession.
Ireland
Given 7 Could do nothing on the goal besides complain in vain. The Manchester City goalkeeper was his usual dependable self elsewhere.
O'Shea 6.5 Forced off with injury but did not enjoy the best of nights against Henry and Manchester United club-mate, Evra.
Dunne 8 Along with St Ledger, put in a faultless display. Won an overwhelming percentage of his headers and got the ball forward promptly and accurately.
St Ledger 8 Another encouraging display for the Middlesbrough defender. Put his body on the line bravely in his clearances and was more astute positionally tonight than he has been for the Boys in Green.
Kilbane 6.5 Usually a member of the clanger brigade but was nigh-on perfect in his duties tonight. Prompted Duff to set up the opener and was more than adept at his defensive work.
Andrews 8 From League 2 to the brink of the World Cup finals in less than two seasons. The Blackburn man looked the part tonight, bossing Champions League regulars on the opposite side with better passing and tackling. Best display in an Ireland shirt.
Whelan 7 Ran himself into the ground for an hour and did more than his fair share of ball winning in midfield. Showed willingness to get forward and help his forwards too, early on.
Lawrence 8.5 Ireland's outfield star on the night, in my opinion. The Stoke man was at the heart of most of Ireland's offensive work with accurate crosses and sharp passes. Constantly showed for the ball and displayed a Herculean work-rate.
Duff 8 A vintage performance from the winger. A wonderful assist for his running-buddy Keane but he will always think 'what if?' on the chance that got away.
Keane 7 Ireland's captain led by example tonight and took his goal tremendously. Should have had a second and arguably a third too. A menace all night, in his link-up play and line leading but will feel his finishing could have brought his side glory.
Doyle 7 Allowed the full quota of minutes tonight and did not disappoint in his approach play. However, he is still lacking sharpness in front of goal.
Subs
McShane 5.5 An all-action cameo with a booking and one vital interception. Should have been able to prevent Gallas' goal though.
Gibson 6 Involved in the midfield fight. Acquitted himself well.
McGeady n/a Came in too late to make an impact.
Peter Staunton, Goal.com
Lloris 9 Another fantastic showing for Lyon's number one. Surely the bravest goalkeeper in the world for his contributions on crosses and point-blank saves. France have a lot for which to be grateful.
Sagna 7 A fine outing. Tireless endeavour from the Arsenal man; he gave the French persistent width in attack and punched in a decent shift on his wing, defensively, when Duff pushed inside.
Gallas 6 Suspect in his positioning when defending but came up with the goods when it counted. Always a threat at set-pieces.
Escude n/a
Evra 7.5 Along with Sagna and Anelka, Patrice was among the best in show in Blue. Got forward to support his attack with relish and was a willing outlet all evening.
A Diarra 5 Did most of his work in his own half, pretty effectively, if unspectacularly. Could be accused of being pedestrian and not taking the fight to the Irish on occasion.
L Diarra 5.5 Dominated the midfield on Saturday but was overrun tonight by a spirited Andrews. Committed foul after foul and could not influence the game.
Gourcuff 5 An improvement on his Dublin showing, but that's not saying much. Linked the attack more effectively to the midfield when France had possession but his set-pieces were errant.
Anelka 8 Once again, France's sharpest attacking weapon. Looked like troubling his defender every time he picked up the ball and worried Given with a number of strikes. Deserves his place at a World Cup, finally.
Henry 0 or 10 Depending on your affiliations. Was it a moment of ingenuity and guile? Or a blatant act of cheating? In any case, it did little to mask a pretty anonymous showing for the French example-setter up to that point. So I'll settle on a 5.
Gignac 3 An off night for the Toulouse man. A reverse-Midas evening in that everything he touched turned to rubbish. Wasted his chances and failed to effectively hold the ball in the final third.
Subs
Squillaci 5 Lost Robbie Keane on the opening goal and struggled on the back-foot when the Irish came forward.
Govou 5 Ran the flank well but missed a sitter in the last minute.
Malouda 7 Excellent and accurate set-pieces caused Ireland problems and looked lively in possession.
Ireland
Given 7 Could do nothing on the goal besides complain in vain. The Manchester City goalkeeper was his usual dependable self elsewhere.
O'Shea 6.5 Forced off with injury but did not enjoy the best of nights against Henry and Manchester United club-mate, Evra.
Dunne 8 Along with St Ledger, put in a faultless display. Won an overwhelming percentage of his headers and got the ball forward promptly and accurately.
St Ledger 8 Another encouraging display for the Middlesbrough defender. Put his body on the line bravely in his clearances and was more astute positionally tonight than he has been for the Boys in Green.
Kilbane 6.5 Usually a member of the clanger brigade but was nigh-on perfect in his duties tonight. Prompted Duff to set up the opener and was more than adept at his defensive work.
Andrews 8 From League 2 to the brink of the World Cup finals in less than two seasons. The Blackburn man looked the part tonight, bossing Champions League regulars on the opposite side with better passing and tackling. Best display in an Ireland shirt.
Whelan 7 Ran himself into the ground for an hour and did more than his fair share of ball winning in midfield. Showed willingness to get forward and help his forwards too, early on.
Lawrence 8.5 Ireland's outfield star on the night, in my opinion. The Stoke man was at the heart of most of Ireland's offensive work with accurate crosses and sharp passes. Constantly showed for the ball and displayed a Herculean work-rate.
Duff 8 A vintage performance from the winger. A wonderful assist for his running-buddy Keane but he will always think 'what if?' on the chance that got away.
Keane 7 Ireland's captain led by example tonight and took his goal tremendously. Should have had a second and arguably a third too. A menace all night, in his link-up play and line leading but will feel his finishing could have brought his side glory.
Doyle 7 Allowed the full quota of minutes tonight and did not disappoint in his approach play. However, he is still lacking sharpness in front of goal.
Subs
McShane 5.5 An all-action cameo with a booking and one vital interception. Should have been able to prevent Gallas' goal though.
Gibson 6 Involved in the midfield fight. Acquitted himself well.
McGeady n/a Came in too late to make an impact.
Peter Staunton, Goal.com
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