Benjamin Pavard Scores Goal of the Season Contender in France's Victory Against Ireland

• Benjamin Pavard scored a screamer to hand France a hard-fought victory against Ireland
• The defender’s strike secured back-to-back wins for Les Bleus in their Euro 2024 openers
• France had initially strolled past the Netherlands 4-0 in their opening encounter on Friday

France had to fight hard to earn back-to-back victories in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, following a 1-0 victory over Ireland on Monday night.

On a night when Les Bleus had superstars like Antione Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe on parade, Benjamin Pavard stole the show for the 2022 World Cup runners-up.

Pavard scored an amazing 20-yard screamer in what would arguably be among the top contenders for the goal of the season.

With France having failed to score in the first half, the Bayern Munich defender took matters in his own hands after winning a loose ball close to the Ireland box, to unleash a thunderous strike past goalkeeper, Gavin Bazunu.

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Football

This was Pavard's third international goal and his second from outside of the penalty area, having famously scored a similar goal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup when France knocked out Argentina in the round of 16 at the global showpiece.

France top in Euro qualifying

Meanwhile, France shot to the top of the Euro 2024 qualifying Group B after another hard-fought win against Ireland on Monday night.

Les Bleus' victory came three days after they had begun their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign by thrashing the Netherlands 4-0, Sports Illustrated reports.

Didier Deschamps' team have now secured six points from their opening two games, while Greece and the Netherlands lie second and third respectively with three points.

France edge out plucky Ireland

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Football

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Pavard scoring the only goal of the game as France defeated Ireland 1-0 in a Euro 2024 qualifier game in Dublin.

Les Bleus goalkeeper, Mike Maignan had to make two fine saves late on to deny The Boys in Green the draw in the hosts' opening qualifier on Monday.

Victory meant World Cup finalists, France won both opening Group B games following a convincing 4-0 defeat of the Netherlands on Friday.