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France defeats Ireland to qualify for World Cup

Referee misses handball for vital goal

By
SEAN O'SHEA
,
IrishCentral.Com Staff Writer

Published Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 5:49 PM
Updated Thursday, November 19, 2009, 11:51 AM

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France defeats Ireland to qualify for World Cup | Irish Sport | IrishCentral




Read more: Ireland, Robbie Keane, Thierry Henry, European Football, Soccer, Sports, France
Damien Duff
Damien Duff

France is through to the World Cup finals after an incredible oversight by the referee, which allowed a Thierry Henry handball to go unpunished which led to the winning French goal. With the goal, the French qualified on a 2-1 aggregate score.

Henry had snuck in behind the Irish defense in the first period of extra time when a free kick was delivered into the box. Henry used his hand to guide the ball, then crossed it where it  was headed to the net.

Irish players protested in vain, but the damage had been done and the French held on.

The Irish team had covered themselves in glory up to that point, and should be on their way to South Africa after Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle missed several great chances to put the game away.

For the French, the game was a nightmare with Ireland on top throughout after a Keane goal late in the first half. However, the reality is that they, not Ireland. have qualified.

Earlier, Ireland had taken a 1-0 lead to the dressing room at halftime at the Stade De France after a Keane goal in the 30th minute gave them a shock lead over France.

 

The score was then tied at 1-1 with the second half to come. Ireland were good value for their goal, outplaying a nervous French side which made many basic mistakes throughout the game.
 
Indeed, Ireland might have been 2-0 up as Kevin Doyle missed with a header from close range and Robbie Keane had a goal chance snatched away by the French keeper.
 
Ireland came out at the beginning full of energy and spirit and pinned the French down in their own half. It was the opposite of their cautious display in Dublin and the French seemed taken aback.
 
The Irish goal came after a great Damien Duff run down the left flank and he pulled a cross back from the endline to the waiting Keane who made no mistake.
 

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France defeats Ireland to qualify for World Cup | Irish Sport | IrishCentral


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Most recent comments - See all comments

Report abuse
Posted by kickstar on Nov 18, 2009, 11:40 PM EST
Ireland lost because they are duffers and Duds.
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Posted by jacersisityourself on Nov 18, 2009, 08:17 PM EST
Uh-oh... shuda seen this bit of craic coming... "The Hand of God" has now been superceded by "The Hand of Gaul".
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Posted by sanfrancelt on Nov 18, 2009, 07:52 PM EST
no failure here lads! who can look at themselves tonight....not that tribe of surrender monkeys..... just one more shame to add to a long list..
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Posted by jacersisityourself on Nov 18, 2009, 07:33 PM EST
It's 'Gauling' me - 'cos Robbie Keane, when through and playing one-on-one v. the French goalkeeper had it in his mind to play for a penalty, instinctively decided against it (watch the replays) and lost his chance. So much for Irish honesty... Mind ya, Henry's chance coulda happened at the other end and the Irish mightv'e got away w/ itvinstead. 'Hand of God' is now 'Hand of Thierry the Thief'. He's never gonna live that down.... ever... football history. But whey! Weren't the Irish brilliant in Paris!!!! Best I've seen in years.. Trappatoni must be doing something right.
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Posted by Birdiepost on Nov 18, 2009, 06:57 PM EST
Its a sad day for french football, they cheated and the french will all ways know it. Pure shame
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Posted by plasticpaddy on Nov 18, 2009, 06:33 PM EST
wow, they didnt fail, the Irish players were magnificent tonight and were robbed.


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