France came from behind to beat the Republic of Ireland Women 2-1 with a Melvine Malard brace, as their 2027 World Cup qualifiers kicked off.
Katie McCabe gave Ireland the lead after 12 minutes, intercepting a pass she fed Emily Murphy before finishing from the return ball.
Constance Picaud kept out a good chance from a Caitlin Hayes header and caught an outrageous flick by Denise O’Sullivan.
Melvine Malard came off the bench and almost immediately equalised, skipping past two players to find the corner of the net with 18 minutes to go.
With the ball ricocheting around the Ireland area, Malard doubled her tally with a shot past Courtney Brosnan.
In stoppage time, Marie-Antoinette Katoto headed a strike from O’Sullivan off the line to preserve the advantage.
