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On Wednesday night, a young Ireland team secured a 3-2 victory over Latvia with 18-year-old Evan Ferguson scoring on his first start, helping the team win consecutive internationals for the first time since October 2021. However, their upcoming European Championship qualifying (ECQ) campaign opener against France, a team they haven't beaten since October 1981, presents a tougher challenge. Ireland's recent defensive record has been shaky, conceding twice in each of their last three home games (W2, L1), making defensive solidity a priority if they are to qualify for the Euros for the first time since 2016. Although France has struggled away from home in their last three matches (D2, L1), they opened their ECQ campaign with a resounding 4-0 victory over the Netherlands. Kylian Mbappé's reign as captain began in style, but manager Didier Deschamps remains wary of Ireland. In the past, France has found it tough against Ireland, with their last four encounters producing no more than two goals. While Ireland's new star Ferguson has scored three times in his last two matches for club and country, France's new first-choice goalkeeper Mike Maignan has kept clean sheets in three of his six international appearances, making for an intriguing key battle. Ireland's recent home ECQ games have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals in each of their last nine matches (W5, D4).