Controversial goal breaks Irish hearts

The Arsenal defender bundled home skipper Thierry Henry's cross 13 minutes into extra-time, although the Barcelona star appeared to handle before he picked out his team-mate in the middle.

It was tough on Ireland who had levelled the aggregate scores through Robbie Keane's 32nd-minute strike and threatened to take the lead as John O'Shea and Damien Duff passed up glorious opportunities.

Republic keeper Shay Given was a virtual spectator for much of the first half, and as the men in front of him grew in confidence, it was the visitors who started to make an impression.

Patrice Evra had already had to climb high to prevent Liam Lawrence from connecting with Duff's 18th-minute cross and the Stoke midfielder, once again preferred to Aiden McGeady on the right, was in the thick of the action once again six minutes later. He met Kevin Doyle's cross at the far post to head the ball down for Keane and only the vigilance of keeper Hugo Lloris, who rushed from his line to punch clear before the striker could pounce, spared France.

Giovanni Trapattoni and his players had spoken repeatedly about France's perceived weakness from set-pieces in the run-up to the tie, and they had been disappointed not to exploit it at Croke Park on Saturday. But they very nearly did just that when Lawrence curled a 47th-minute free-kick to the far post where the unmarked O'Shea, perhaps astonished to be given so much time and space, controlled on his chest only to volley high over.

Once again the French response was tepid, and although Given was called upon to make his first real save with 54 minutes gone, Anelka's long-range effort never troubled him.

But as the home side pushed men forward, they became increasingly vulnerable, and Trapattoni's men were presented with a gilt-edged opening with 61 minutes gone.

Lawrence's defence-splitting pass put Duff in on goal, but the winger was denied by the impressive Lloris as he pulled off yet another vital stop. Anelka glanced a header wide at one end and Keane rounded Lloris but could not get in a shot at the other as the game became increasingly frantic.

Given had to claw away an Anelka cross deep into injury time, but Ireland more than deserved their extra 30 minutes. However, Ireland's luck deserted them 13 minutes into extra-time when Henry handled Florent Malouda's delivery before crossing for Gallas to score.