"As ever with France, it will not be a lack of talent that stops them winning the World Cup as Didier Deschamps' side brushed aside Ireland with the confidence of a team that looks good enough to triumph in Russia. Ireland were out-classed, turning up to play the fixture, but little more. The gulf in quality was as big on the pitch as it appeared embarrassing on paper. When France sent on Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann as a second half substitute, Ireland turned to Shamrock Rovers' Graham Burke. It did not even resemble a fair fight. Yet, still doubts about France's ability to perform when it matters remain, the concerns about their fortitude under pressure will linger for as long as they fail to prove otherwise. The French have a tendency to lose their sparkle at major tournaments. Even when everything seems to be going their way, as it did at the European Championships two years ago, when they beat world champions Germany in the semi-final, but lost to Portugal in the final. That must change this summer, where anything less than a semi-final appearance will be a failure. Really, though, they need to win it, given the standard of players they can leave out, not just of their starting XI, but their squad. Kylian Mbappe had to battle Irish resilience and torrential rain Credit: AFP It was always going to be a tough night for Ireland, with their willing but limited mix of Premier League squad players and Championship battlers and they conceded twice just before half time. Olivier Giroud bundled the ball in from close range, from a corner, at the third attempt and Bradford City goalkeeper, Colin Doyle, failed to keep out a relatively tame shot from Liverpool transfer target Nabil Fekir. Yet, for all of France's fleet-footed attacking play, for all their skill, they still found it hard to prise the Irish defence open and they were not clinical when chances did come. World Cup 2018 | All you need to know For those countries preparing to face them at the World Cup, teams who may even be able to test them on the counter attack, the message will spread – France cannot be nullified, as such, but they can be frustrated if you defend deep and well. Better teams than Ireland will fancy their chances, particularly Denmark, who France play in the group stage, with Christian Eriksen pulling the strings. The men in blue, though, were simply too good against limited opposition here and the game was over as a meaningful contest at the end of the first half when France scored twice in the space of just five minutes. Credit: SPORTSFILE Ireland kept the score down after that and their dignity, but it was a miserable evening for a side in transition, three players, all playing outside of the Premier League, earning their first international caps as O'Neill looks ahead to the League of Nations campaign in September. ""My opinion of the French team is they are very strong, individually they have a lot of talent, they are an excellent side,"" said O'Neill. ""I think they have improved in the last two years."" Player ratings France (4-3-3) Mandanda 6, Mendy 7 (Hernandez 64) Umtiti 7 (Kimpembe 64), Rami 7, Sidibe 7 (Pavard 82), Matuidi 7, Nzonzi 7, Tolisso 7 Pogba 79), Mbappe 7 (Dembele 79), Giroud 7, Fekir 7 (Griezmann 64) Sub not used: Lloris, Areola, Kante, Lemar, Thauvin. Republic of Ireland (4-2-3-1) Doyle 5, Coleman 7, K. Long 6, Duffy 6, D. Williams 6 (Doherty 82), Browne 5 (Arter 59), Rice 6, O'Dowda 4 (Burke 70), Walters 4 (Meyler 60), S. Long 4 (Judge 70), McClean 5 Subs not used: O'Malley, Supple, Cunningham, Egan, Lenihan, Horgan, Stevens, S Williams."
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