NATHAN Collins dropped to his knees and banged the turf three times, his face a picture of disbelief.
The scenes after the final whistle told the story. Ireland's singing section provided a chorus of solace to their men in green as victors France high fived in what was a gesture of relief more than anything.
There was a priceless point up for grabs there for Ireland against the losing World Cup finalists and, for a split second, Collins believed he was going to be the hero the majority of the 50,219 crowd craved.
Somehow, in the 90th minute, Mike Maignan clawed the Wolves giant's header from under his own bar. Et voila...France, trois points.
And a real shame, to be honest.
Forty minutes earlier, Josh Cullen's attempted pass to Jason Knight was as shocking as the pink dye in Antoine Griezmann's hair.
Unfortunately for Ireland, the grievous error was severely punished by the quality of Benjamin Pavard's rising shot.
Against a stirring, noisy backdrop, Stephen Kenny's side had done really well until that breakthrough.
They did well after it, too, building on two important Gavin Bazunu saves before producing a typical barnstorming finish, though ultimately without that all-important goal.
If it is any consolation to Kenny and his players, the superstar French knew they were in a contest tonight.
With the Netherlands badly beaten by the top seeds last Friday, perhaps that automatic second qualifying spot in Group B is there to be fought for.
Now the manager needs his players to stay at this level - and avoid the kind of kamikaze error that is so uncharacteristic of Steady Eddie Cullen.
Kenny also needs a fit Seamus Coleman for the challenges ahead.
The 34-year-old has enjoyed an excellent season with Everton but was a fitness doubt due to a thigh strain coming into this campaign opener.
If he was just off the treatment table for one of Irish football's biggest nights in a long time, well then it never showed. He remains the heartbeat of this team.
Charged with keeping Kylian Mbappé under wraps, the veteran did the job expertly. The one on one battle of the captains, with Mbappé looking to provide menace down the visitors' left flank, was engrossing.
The PSG sensation tried to skin Coleman twice in the first half but couldn't shake the limpet-like Donegal man. So it remained throughout, and Mbappé's influence on proceedings remained muted.
The indefatigable Coleman was even there in the 83rd minute when Les Bleus countered to clear his lines intelligently.
Rightly, Kenny went with Evan Ferguson up front but it was a lot to ask the 18-year-old to lead the line against this experienced France rearguard.
However Theo Hernandez was identified as it's weak list and, up ahead of Coleman, the rampaging Chiedozie Ogbene haunted the AC Milan defender in a man of the match performance.
Plenty to build on, lessons to learn. An expected defeat but if this is the standard, Ireland have a fighting chance.
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