World Cup Warm Up | France 3 - 1 Northern Ireland

An emotional night for the France manager but there was still a job to be done

Olise hits hat-trick as France sign off World Cup preparations with win over Northern Ireland

Author | Jack L

Stadium | Stade Pierre-Mauroy

Michael Olise scored the first international hat-trick of his career as France completed their World Cup preparations with a 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland in Lille, in what was Didier Deschamps' final home match in charge of Les Bleus.

In France's last warm-up fixture before travelling to the United States, Olise proved the difference against a spirited Northern Ireland side that frustrated the hosts for long periods despite the celebratory atmosphere surrounding Deschamps' farewell on home soil.

The breakthrough did not arrive until the 43rd minute. France's opening goal came in scrappy fashion as Ousmane Dembele's effort was deflected into the path of Olise, who reacted quickest to steer the ball into the net from close range.

Olise's second, however, was of a very different quality. Four minutes after the restart, the Bayern Munich winger collected the ball on the edge of the area and thundered an unstoppable strike into the top corner.

Michael O'Neill's youthful side, which started with an average age of 22.6, earned a deserved reward for an impressive display when Patrick Kelly finished from close range in the 64th minute after Shea Charles burst into the penalty area.

Any hopes of a comeback were extinguished 15 minutes from time as Olise completed his hat-trick in style, curling a superb effort beyond the goalkeeper from 20 yards to cap a memorable evening.

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Kylian Mbappe was unable to edge closer to Olivier Giroud's France goalscoring record. 

The captain had a goal ruled out after Desire Doue was adjudged offside in the build-up and also missed several opportunities, meaning his pursuit of the landmark will continue into the World Cup.

Northern Ireland also saw a goal chalked off in first-half stoppage time. Jamie Donley thought he had levelled after tapping in Ruairi McConville's header across goal, but the effort was disallowed after McConville was judged to have pushed Theo Hernandez.

The match carried added significance for the home supporters 

Deschamps took charge of France on home turf for the final time after 14 years at the helm. His focus now turns to the World Cup, where he will look to bring his remarkable tenure to a fitting conclusion.

France begin their World Cup campaign against Senegal in New Jersey on 16 June before group-stage meetings with Iraq and Erling Haaland's Norway.