Olise hat-trick sends France to the World Cup with a 3-1 win over Northern Ireland

France boarded the plane to the World Cup on the back of a Michael Olise hat-trick, the winger scoring all three in a 3-1 win over Northern Ireland in Lille on Monday. It was a comfortable enough send-off for one of the tournament favourites, though a young visiting side made them work harder than the scoreline suggests, and the night carried a heavy dose of sentiment as Didier Deschamps took charge on French soil for the last time.

Olise runs the show

The Bayern Munich man opened the scoring two minutes before the break, tucking in from close range after Ousmane Dembélé’s effort was blocked into his path. He doubled the lead almost immediately after half-time, lashing home from near the penalty spot when Northern Ireland failed to clear a ball into the box. The pick of the three came later in the second half, Olise cutting in from the right and bending an unstoppable strike into the top corner from 20 yards out.

It was the kind of individual display that reminds you why France travel to North America with such depth in the wide areas. With Kylian Mbappé and Dembélé alongside him, Olise staking a claim for a starting role this loudly gives Deschamps a welcome selection headache rather than a worry.

Northern Ireland refuse to roll over

Michael O’Neill had asked his players to be bad guests at France’s party, and for a spell they obliged. Patrick Kelly, only 21 and making his second international start, turned in a Shea Charles cross in the 64th minute to briefly quieten the home crowd. With a starting eleven averaging just over 22 years of age, Northern Ireland will not be at the World Cup themselves, but the maturity of this performance bodes well for a side clearly building toward something.

They could not hold France off for long, and Olise’s third settled any lingering doubt. Still, O’Neill will take plenty from a night where his youngsters stood toe to toe with a team chasing the biggest prize in the sport.

A farewell in the making

The result mattered less than the occasion for the home support. This was Deschamps’ final match in charge on French soil, the 2018 World Cup winner having confirmed he will leave his post after the tournament, closing out a reign that began back in 2012. Zinedine Zidane is widely tipped to succeed him, but that conversation can wait. For now, Deschamps has one last shot at adding a second World Cup to his record as a coach.

France head into the tournament among the favourites, and on this evidence they have firepower to spare. Whether that translates into a deep run depends on the games that actually count, but signing off at home with a hat-trick hero in form is about as good a final rehearsal as Deschamps could have asked for.

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