Olise smashes hat-trick as France beat N. Ireland in pre-World Cup game

Michael Olise was the standout performer in France’s 3‑1 win over Northern Ireland in a World Cup warm‑up match in Lille on Monday, scoring a hat‑trick.

The French side fielded a strong attacking quartet that included Bayern Munich’s Olise, Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé, and Paris Saint‑Germain players Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembélé. The PSG duo had been rested after a loss to Ivory Coast in the previous friendly, following their Champions League triumph.

Arsenal defender William Saliba, another former Champions League finalist, also returned to the squad, giving France a look similar to the line‑up they plan to use for their opening World Cup match against Senegal in New Jersey on June 16.

Despite the strong attack, France’s forwards appeared somewhat disjointed. Skipper Mbappé, who needs one goal to match Olivier Giroud’s record for the national team, struggled to find form.

France pressed the Northern Irish defence, forcing desperate blocks and loose clearances. Olise, sharp throughout the match, capitalised on rebounds just before and after half‑time.

English third‑tier club Barnsley’s Patrick Kelly scored a rare goal for Northern Ireland 64 minutes into the game, but Olise sealed the victory with a curling left‑foot shot from outside the box ten minutes later.

The Lille stadium roof remained closed on a chilly, damp evening in northern France. Play was interrupted for drinks breaks in the middle of each half to allow Les Bleus to fine‑tune their preparation for the World Cup.

France will depart for their training base near Boston on Wednesday. They will also face Iraq in Philadelphia and Norway in Foxborough, both in Group I.

AFP

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