French sympathy for Irish exit

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National newspaper L'Equipe ran the headline 'Hand of God' on its back page after skipper Thierry Henry admitted to handling the ball in the lead-up to William Gallas' goal which secured an aggregate victory.

Le Monde admitted the goal was a fraught ending to a stuttering qualification campaign for the French, with their main headline reading 'Blues relieved, Irish disgusted'.

France coach Raymond Domenech has come in for criticism during his side's below-par campaign and the manner with which qualification to South Africa was finally accomplished has not convinced the French media.

Former World Cup winner Bixente Lizarazu, who is now a television and radio pundit, was outspoken following the match describing the performance as "catastrophic".

Speaking on TF1 he said: "We're going to go the World Cup, but we go to the locker-room with our heads bowed. It was not something to be proud of.

"I'm not going to party."

French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes admitted he understood the Irish frustrations.

"We were stunned and were not able to develop our game - I understand that the Irish are frustrated," he told L'Equipe.

"They must forget this evening and use it for the future. You have to take a philosophical approach to this match. Football is played on small details, however, qualification is still beautiful."