World Cup qualifying: ‘We have nothing to lose’ against France – Barrett

Republic of Ireland striker Amber Barrett said the side “are going to give everything we have” in Tuesday’s match against France when they have the chance to secure automatic qualification for the World Cup.

Barrett came off the bench in the 76th minute and scored the winner against the Netherlands in the closing stages of the match in Cork in front of a crowd of more than 12,000.

Now, Carla Ward’s side have the opportunity to secure a spot in back-to-back World Cups when they travel to Grenoble to face France, who are top of the group.

Even if they draw or lose, they will have the fallback of a seeded play-off spot, but Barrett insists they are going out to get the job done on Tuesday.

“We do not have anything to lose,” Barrett told RTE after the game.

“When we started the group, what everyone was looking at was not finishing fourth. We avoided that tonight and we have nothing to lose on Tuesday, we are going to give everything we have.

“Whatever happens, we still have the play-offs in October and December.”

Laurent Bonadei’s side were the 2-1 victors against the Republic of Ireland at Tallaght Stadium in March.

Barrett added that despite the side coming into the “cup final” unbeaten in three matches, they will not underestimate the French.

“Before, if you were 2-2 against the Netherlands, you would probably be rubbing your hands together and saying’ we will take this’, but Carla [Ward] said from the start of the week, let everyone know we will be going to win the game.

“Tuesday is a cup final. Against the Netherlands, we were for it and we were trying to win that game, there was no doubt about it.

“It is a massive game on Tuesday, we will enjoy tonight but we are not taking for granted the French, they are an unbelievable side. Recover, get ready and let’s go again.”