Ireland were magnificent going toe-to-toe with arguably the best team in the world, but can they do it on a hot, sticky night in Athens?
That’s the question that will ultimately shape Ireland’s qualification bid for Euro 2024, not to mention shaping future debate over Stephen Kenny’s longevity in this role.
Considering the opposition and what was at stake, Monday's performance at Aviva Stadium was the best we’ve seen of Kenny and his team.
Tactically, the manager got it spot on even if the ‘fire’ he vowed to unleash on France only came late on.
Doing so any earlier would have left his team open to punishment, of course. Kenny played the percentage game well and only a self-inflicted error proved their undoing.
But that image of Mike Maignan’s flying, yellow-clad arm will haunt Nathan Collins for some time to come.
When the frustration levels dissipate, Kenny and his players will know they have laid down a marker to the chasing pack.
If France keep their foot to the floor, they will wrap up top spot before the campaign draws to its natural conclusion.
That leaves a straight shootout between the Netherlands, Ireland and Greece for the second automatic qualifying spot.
“We were disappointed to lose the game, but I think everyone sees what we’re working towards,” said Kenny.
“They can see how close we are in relation to playing a team of France’s calibre and we matched them for long periods both technically and tactically.
“Okay, their individual brilliance forces you back but I feel the bond really strengthening in the group, it’s really strong.
“This was a brilliant week behind the scenes – probably our best week. We’re very strong.”
The Netherlands were without a host of key players for their 4-0 mauling in Paris last Friday, due to a bout of dodgy chicken curry, injuries and suspension.
They will be stronger with the likes of Cody Gakpo and Matthijs de Ligt back in the side when Ireland play them in September - but Kenny's team won't fear them.
If Ireland can consistently hit the levels they produced on Monday, and hone their cutting edge, they are right in the hunt for that second spot.
It’s a question of attitude.
Ireland’s next game is away to Greece in June - preceded by a Turkish training camp, and followed immediately by a home clash with Gibraltar to finish the summer window.
Kenny has a three-month run-in to devise and deliver a gameplan for that clash in Athens in a clash they simply have to win.
Ireland’s trouble has been trying to back up performances against top nations with results against lower-ranking ones. It hasn't gone tremendously well.
After the oh-so-close 2-1 defeat away to Portugal - when Ronaldo scored twice at the death to snatch victory - Kenny’s Ireland drew at home to Azerbaijan and Serbia.
After a friendly draw with Belgium and win over Lithuania, Ireland went to Armenia in the Nations League and lost before tasting defeat to Ukraine at home days later.
Two years ago this month, Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign was effectively over after losing their opening two games to Serbia and Luxembourg.
And that’s why June’s trip to Athens, to play Gus Poyet’s Greece, is - and always was - a bigger game than hosting World Cup finalists France in the opener.
Concede ground to the Greeks and Ireland’s qualification hopes will once again be hanging by a thread at an early juncture.
“We’ve a tough game in Greece and we have to try and win that, and then Gibraltar after it,” said Kenny, sizing up the task this summer.
“It’s a tough game. Nobody gives you anything. We’ve no divine right to win in Greece but that’s certainly our ambition.
“There are four teams in contention for two places. You would feel France is the top team, so we need a good game in Greece and we have to put in a big performance.”
But despite Monday's defeat and the sour taste it left, Kenny believes his emerging team has the talent to blossom in this group.
And although Ireland are third seeds with only two qualifying automatically, he insists the race can go to the wire.
“Monday’s performance reinforces the belief that (the players) are good enough to build the way that we have been,” he said.
“They played through midfield, for attacking players to cause a team as good as France a lot of issues.
“Obviously, their players are from Bayern Munich, PSG, Real Madrid, Barcelona – so they’re top class and all at the best clubs.”
Pundits like former boss Brian Kerr and ex-player Damien Delaney played on the fact that a defeat is still a defeat
But Kenny, not speaking specifically about either man, said: “Most people would feel that it was a strong performance.
“We’re disappointed with the goal we conceded of course, but there was a lot of good technical skill in terms of composure from the players.
“I’m not saying it was perfect, there are still areas we can improve for sure. But, listen, while I’m disappointed to lose, we can take a lot of encouragement.
“The players know themselves, they can feel it in training, they feel like we’re a proper team, we look like we’re a good team and could give anyone a game.
“We gave France a game, but let’s try and win against as many teams as we can now.”
Eyeing up a serious qualification drive after Monday’s confidence boost, Kenny added: “That’s 100 per cent our ambition.
“We’ve got to dust ourselves down and go to Greece. It’s a tough game in Greece but we have to give ourselves every chance of winning it.”
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