Pavard piledriver punishes valiant Ireland

A second half piledriver from Benjamin Pavard was enough for France to scrape past a valiant Irish side that finished the game on top with a world class save from Mike Maignan denying Nathan Collins a equalising header moments from full time at the Aviva Stadium.

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Neymar to miss rest of season through ankle injury

Paris Saint Germain forward Neymar has been ruled out for the rest of the season with the Brazil international set to undergo surgery to repair ankle ligaments that will keep him out for at least three months, the Ligue 1 club said on Monday. He has missed the team’s last two games and his absence will concern the French giants.

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Didier Deschamps extends contract as France coach to 2026

Didier Deschamps has extended his contract as France head coach until June 2026 and is expected to remain in charge for a fourth World Cup. He led France to World Cup victory in 2018 and to the 2022 final in Qatar, which they lost to Argentina on penalties.

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Karim Benzema announces international retirement

France striker Karim Benzema has announced his retirement from international football – on his 35th birthday – a day after Les Bleus lost against Argentina on penalties in the World Cup final. The Ballon d’Or winner, who scored 37 times in 97 appearances, was expected to lead the line for France in Qatar but missed the tournament after sustaining a thigh injury in training the day before it started.

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Argentina edge France on penalties in epic World Cup Final

ionel Messi finally achieved his World Cup dream as Argentina won their third crown on penalties following one of the greatest finals in the tournament’s history at Lusail Stadium. Argentina won the shootout 4-2 after a spectacular game which developed into the much-anticipated confrontation between Messi and Mbappe, the Frenchman scoring a hat-trick but still ended up on the losing side.

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