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France's William Gallas scores as Ireland watch on - Source: Getty -
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A controversial goal in extra time by defender William Gallas
sent France to next year's World Cup with a 2-1 aggregate playoff
win over Ireland on Thursday.
Captain Thierry Henry appeared to handle the ball twice before
feeding Gallas, who bundled home from close range on 103 minutes to
give France a 1-1 draw in the return leg at the Stade de
France.
The Ireland players protested but Swedish referee Martin Hansson
did not hesitate to award the goal, enabling the World Cup
runners-up to book a trip to next year's finals in South Africa
after a shaky qualifying campaign.
Ireland captain Robbie Keane had put the visitors ahead and
levelled the tie at 1-1 on aggregate shortly after the half-hour,
tapping home from inside the box a fine backward pass from the left
by winger Damien Duff.
France, who won the first leg 1-0 at Croke Park on Sunday, looked
nervous and clumsy until the closing stages while Ireland kept
pushing and had the better chances.
The home side, who lost central defender Julien Escude, injured in
a clash of heads with team mate Patrice Evra, after just a few
minutes, looked vulnerable at the back for most the game and showed
little initiative up front.
Ireland bravely tried their luck and would have enjoyed a better
fate without a string of brilliant saves from France keeper Hugo
Lloris, who heard the 79,000 crowd packing the arena where France
lifted the World Cup in 1998 chant his name.
The first two clear chances were for Ireland shortly before the
half-hour, first when Lloris dived in front of Keane, lurking in
the box. Seconds later, Kevin Doyle headed the ball wide from close
range.
France survived another scare on 73 minutes, Keane rushing into the
area and past Lloris put then pushing the ball too far.
It was not until extra time that France woke up, threatening with
an angled shot by Nicolas Anelka that went just wide. Substitute
forward Govou then hit the back of the net but was ruled
offside.
After Gallas scored a goal certain to stir a heated debate, Govou,
alone in front of an open goal, missed the target.
Seconds later, the crowd went wild and France coach Raymond
Domenech, under heavy criticism since his side's Euro 2008 flop,
could breathe a sigh of relief.
