France win friendly against Northern Ireland with Olise hat-trick

France played their last friendly before the World Cup against Northern Ireland, at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, in Lille, France. The team, one of the favorites for the World Cup, won 3-1 with a hat-trick from Olise.

The game
The best chance in the opening minutes was with Mbappé. The number 10 caught the rebound of a shot from Tchouaméni's crossbar and sent it into the back of the net, but was offside.

Ireland also wasted their attack. At 39, Patrick Kelly received a great pass, but, hindered by Saliba, he couldn't reach the goal.

Mbappé finished wide before the goal, scored by Olise in the 42nd minute. Upamecano threw it to Doué, who crossed for Dembelé. The number 7 arrived hitting, and in the deviation of the marking, it was clear for the midfielder to open the scoring.

In the opening minutes of the second half, Olise scored another goal. Theo Hernández headed the ball over the line and, in the process, the number 11 shot into the left corner to expand.

The teams made their substitutions and Northern Ireland seemed to want to react. Shea Charles got the better of Upamecano and crossed low for Patrick Kelly to score from inside the small area - 2-1.

While Mbappé piled up missed chances - at 27, he finished with great force and ended up sending the ball out, Olise was efficient. In the next minute, he received the ball on the right wing and went into the corner for his third of the match.

France in the World Cup
France debuts in the World Cup next Tuesday (16), at 4pm (Brasília time), in a game valid for Group I. In addition to the runners-up, Senegal, the first opponent, Iraq and Norway, of top scorer Haaland, are in the group.

Northern Ireland did not hand a game to France on a plate at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium. Although superior, Didier Deschamps' team presented some difficulties, and managed to overcome them to get the result.

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Source: CNN