Republic of Ireland 0-1 France
Nicolas Anelka scored the vital away goal to give France the lead heading into the second-leg on Wednesday
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By Tom Powell. |  |
Saturday, 14, Nov 2009 10:56
By Matt Hallam.
Nicolas Anelka's deflected second-half strike gave France a 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland in the first leg of their World Cup qualifying play-off.
The away goal puts Raymond Domenech's side in control of the tie with Giovanni Trapattoni's side needing to score at least twice in the second-leg on Wednesday.
Ireland matched their visitors in the first-half, limiting them to long range efforts, whilst Liam Lawrence was denied by a last ditch block from Patrice Evra.
The French took a deserved lead in the second-half though as they dominated possession, although Anelka's goal had an air of good fortune to it as it deflected off Sean St Ledger.
Ireland continued to threaten though and only a save from Hugo Lloris stopped Glenn Whelan from equalising in the closing minutes.
Trapattoni made just one change from the side that beat Italy with Liam Lawrence starting on the right of midfield ahead of Aiden McGeady. Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle led the attack with Richard Dunne and St Ledger in defence.
France's starting line-up was littered with Premier League players such as Bacary Sagna, Evra and Anelka. Domenech was without Franck Ribery and also lost Jeremy Toulalan to injury before kick-off, the Lyon star being replaced by Alou Diarra.
France enjoyed the majority of early possession but were given no time on the ball by their hosts as both sides settled into the game amidst the electric atmosphere inside Croke Park.
Doyle was a willing runner for Ireland and forced Lloris to make a smart stop at his near post when his low cross from the right deflected off Sagna towards goal.
France continued to have the lion's share of possession though and a determined run and cross from Andre-Pierre Gignac forced Dunne to make a vital clearance in his own six-yard box.
Yoann Gourcuff was the first man to hit a meaningful shot on target with a low drive from 20-yards after Whelan had failed to clear. The Bordeaux midfielder struck the ball well, but his effort was straight at Shay Given, who gathered the ball with ease.
Ireland came agonisingly close to taking the lead soon after when Keane picked up Doyle's flick on in the box. Lloris blocked the Irish captain's effort and the ball fell to Lawrence whose shot was deflected wide after the merest of touches off Evra.
France started the second-half in impressive style with a slick passing move releasing Sagna on the right. Gignac couldn't get on the end of the Arsenal full-backs cross and John O'Shea was able to clear with Thierry Henry lurking at the back post.
Trapattoni's men were soon back on the front foot with Duff forcing a corner after beating Sagna with a neat piece of trickery. Dunne knocked down Duff's corner allowing O'Shea to release a shot, however his effort looped into the air and Gallas was able to clear.
Domenech's side began to find space in the final third though with Lassana Diarra sending a thunderous half-volley a couple of yards wide and Anelka testing Given with a dipping drive from 25-yards.
The French continued to put pressure on the Irish backline and were appealing for a penalty when Evra beat Given to the ball before going down in the box. The referee was unmoved though and no penalty was awarded.
Ireland's defence were unable to hold out much longer though and conceded with 20 minutes to go when Anelka's shot was deflected past Given off St Ledger.
The home side reacted well with encouragement from the home crowd and tested Lloris straight away with Keith Andrews sending a dipping volley straight at the young goalkeeper from Lyon.
McGeady was introduced as Ireland looked for an equaliser, but they were almost caught on the counter attack as Anelka intercepted Kevin Kilbane's backpass. The ball fell to Gignac but he skewed his shot incredibly wide when he looked odds on to give his team a commanding 2-0 lead.
Eric Abidal almost gifted Ireland an equaliser in the closing minutes when he gave the ball away to Doyle's replacement Leon Best. The substitute picked out Keane who flicked the ball onto Whelan, but Lloris made a fine save to ensure his team head back to the Stade de France with their World Cup destiny in their own hands.