France 1-1 Ireland (2-1 on aggregate)
France celebrate William Gallas' controversial goal
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A controversial extra time goal by William Gallas saw France end Ireland's World Cup dreams with a 2-1 aggregate win.
It was a cruel end to Ireland's campaign after an excellent performance had given them hope of overturning a one goal deficit after the first leg at Croke Park.
France's performance was poor throughout and they were defeated over 90 minutes by Robbie Keane's goal in the first-half which forced extra time.
However, Gallas secured France's place in the World Cup finals with a controversial goal that should have been disallowed.
Thierry Henry controlled Florent Malouda's free-kick with his hand before finding Gallas to put the ball in the net. However the referee allowed the goal to stand, sending Raymond Domenech's team to South Africa next summer.
Giovanni Trapattoni named an unchanged side after defeat in the first-leg, with Stoke midfielder Liam Lawrence continuing on the right and Kevin Doyle leading the attack alongside Keane.
France were forced to make one change with Julien Escude replacing Eric Abidal after the Barcelona defender picked up a calf injury at Croke Park.
Ireland forced the home side onto the back foot early on when Escude was forced off with a bloody nose after a collision with Patrice Evra. They could not take advantage of the extra man though and were almost caught out when a quick break from a corner allowed Henry to fire a shot at goal which Sean St Ledger managed to block.
Trapattoni's men continued to work hard in midfield though and when Damien Duff's cross was only half-cleared, Lawrence headed the ball down only for Hugo Lloris to palm the ball away from Robbie Keane's right boot.
Ireland continued to build momentum with Lawrence whipping in a cross for Doyle from right, however the Wolves striker failed to find the target from six-yards after getting in front of Gallas.
Keane made no mistake on the half-hour though as he pulled his team level. Duff played a one-two with Kevin Kilbane before pulling the ball back for his captain to calmly slot past Lloris.
Bacary Sagna responded for France with burst past Kilbane on the right before finding Nicolas Anelka in the box. His shot was deflected wide and the home side headed into the dressing room to a chorus of jeers at half-time.
Ireland should have doubled their lead after half-time when Lawrence picked out John O'Shea with a free kick from the left. The Manchester United full back was unmarked at the back post but smashed the ball over the bar after controlling on his chest.
Andre-Pierre Gignac was replaced by Sidney Govou as Domenech looked to revitalise an attack looking short of ideas.
They could barely string two-passes together though and were almost punished when Keane played Duff through on goal. Lloris came to the rescue though with an excellent save to deny the Fulham winger.
Henry was then released at the opposite end as he picked up a long ball from the back, however Given was equal to his effort though and saved well at his near post.
Paul McShane - on as a replacement for the injured O'Shea - then made a vital block to deny Yoann Gourcuff after Henry had headed the ball down to him on the edge of the box.
France continued to look shaky in defence though with Lawrence playing the ball through to Keane who skipped past Gallas before trying to take the ball round the goalkeeper, only to see it run out of play.
Gourcuff made way for Malouda in the final minutes but the French looked laboured in every department. Ireland finished the stronger with Keane firing a shot wide as the game headed into extra time.
Anelka was the first to threaten in extra time as he sent a low shot whistling past the post from 20-yards. The Chelsea striker was the sent clear by Henry and took the ball past the advancing Given before hitting the ground. The referee was unmoved though and awarded a goal-kick.
The home side continued to pressure the Irish defence and found the net in controversial fashion with Henry controlling Malouda's free kick with his hand before poking the ball across goal for Gallas to head in.
Aiden McGeady replaced Lawrence at the start of the second period of extra time as Ireland looked to find the winning goal.
The Celtic winger couldn't fashion a goal scoring opportunity for his tired team mates though and France held on to secure their place in the South Africa.