Ireland unravels in 2nd half, French hosts clinch quarter-final berth

France earned a spot in the Euro 2016 quarter-finals after overturning a 1-0 deficit Sunday through the liberation of Antoine Griezmann and capitulation of 10-man Ireland.

Robbie Brady precisely slotted in an early penalty kick to give Martin O'Neill's team an advantage at the break, but a half-time reshuffle by Didier Deschamps saw Griezmann freed to bag a brace and draw the dismissal of defender Shane Duffy in the space of eight second-half minutes.

France then coasted its way through the remainder of the contest to book a meeting with either England or Iceland in the competition's last eight.

Ireland, meanwhile, leaves with several players being able to hold their heads high after some impassioned and consummate showings - namely Brady, Jeff Hendrick, and sparingly used veteran Wes Hoolahan - and many neutrals ruing the exit of arguably the best-humoured supporters in the tournament.

Despite legitimate questions over whether Deschamps is aware of his best lineup and largely underwhelming displays in Group A, host nation fans were confident ahead of the test in Lyon. That belief was soon burst, though, when Brady converted from the spot.

Yet another summer of transfer talk will prominently feature the will-he-won't-he saga surrounding Pogba's potential exit from Juventus, but on the international stage his under par performances prompted Deschamps to request concentration from the 23-year-old. Just moments into Sunday's contest, however, the Real Madrid and Manchester United target bundled over Long in the penalty area.

Norwich City's Brady, aged just 24 and the hero of the Boys in Green's 1-0 triumph over Italy just four days earlier, coolly converted to give his country a shock early lead.

Related - Watch: Ireland shocks France with 2nd-minute penalty after Pogba clumsiness

Ireland took the opportunity to dwindle down seconds when possible, but was still positive when in possession. Both sides exchanged half-chances for the rest of the opening period, but O'Neill's team was most appreciative of the interval after some heroic blocking to prevent a French tally. James McCarthy in particular was central to scuppering Les Bleus' attacks and then retaining the ball with sensible passing.

France began the second half with a shift in approach. Kingsley Coman replaced N'Golo Kante, a 4-2-3-1 was formed, and the trio of Dimitri Payet, Griezmann, and Coman showed a dangerous fluidity behind frontman Olivier Giroud.

A bullet header and a composed finish following fine cohesion with Giroud saw Griezmann give France the lead in the space of three minutes. Since his move to Atletico Madrid in 2014, Griezmann has developed into one of the finest forwards on the planet.

Related - Watch: Griezmann's 3-minute double stuns upstart Ireland

Ireland then unraveled as the three days less rest than its opponent took its toll. Griezmann again picked holes in the defence to force Duffy into a tackle. Unfortunately for the Blackburn Rovers man, contact was minimal but unclean, and he was punished with a red card.

France was in control from the 66th-minute dismissal until the final whistle. Griezmann was denied by goalkeeper Darren Randolph in claiming a late hat trick after Andre Pierre Gignac cracked the crossbar with a delicate drive.

The host's pursuit of winning its third consecutive major tournament on home soil will now roll into the Stade de France on Sunday, where it'll renew relations with England - a rivalry reignited by Britain's recent separation from the European Union - or face shock package Iceland.