Kelly Scores First International Goal in Northern Ireland's 3-1 Defeat to France
Patrick Kelly, pictured with Kylian Mbappe after the match, expressed that the reality of scoring his first international goal against a top World Cup contender has yet to fully register with him. This came despite Northern Ireland's 3-1 loss to France in Lille.
The Barnsley midfielder scored to reduce the deficit after Michael O'Neill's team fell behind 2-0 due to two goals from Michael Olise. Olise later completed his hat-trick with a third goal for France.
The victory provided France with a positive send-off ahead of the World Cup and marked a successful conclusion to Didier Deschamps' final home game as manager.
Kelly had the opportunity to interact with French stars such as Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele and was delighted to score in only his second start for Northern Ireland.
"It hasn't really hit me yet. Just buzzing, a bit disappointed with the result," Kelly told NI's Gavin Andrews after the match.
"When you look at their team there isn't much expected of us against them but I thought we did really well. We were in the game throughout.
"I probably had a chance or two to score in the first half, then obviously I get one in the second half, which was a nice feeling to score my first senior international goal, but a bit gutted I didn't get another one."
Shea Charles provided the assist for Kelly's goal.
"It was amazing from Shea. He's a fantastic player. I saw him breaking and I gambled that he was going to get the better of his man and he did. I just made a little movement to the right," Kelly explained.
"Thankfully he found me and it's one of the easier ones I'll score.
"A lot of us young lads can learn a lot from tonight and it will stand us in good stead."
Kelly, who began his career with Irish Premiership club Coleraine, noted that the match was particularly challenging due to the gap since his last club game.
"It was tough. I hadn't started a match since the season ended on 2 May so for that reason it was even tougher. I really felt it tonight, especially at times in the first half.
"But I think we really had a good mentality tonight to keep digging in. We didn't give in but obviously they have serious quality and their goals were very good, but I thought it was a good performance.
"The main thing for me was the physicality and how quickly they move with the ball. They're just that extra yard quicker and stronger.
"It felt a bit surreal whenever I was walking out in the tunnel and all the fireworks were going off. It was unreal."
