France pushed all the way by Ireland

Runners-up in 2006, France needed William Gallas's extra-time header for a 2-1 aggregate victory over the Republic of Ireland that books their place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Irish openings
Luck was not on Ireland's side with Nicolas Anelka's deflected goal at Croke Park four days earlier, and it again deserted them in Paris. Captain Robbie Keane's 41st international goal drew the tie level overall but his team could have registered a memorable success thereafter. Chances went begging and Gallas duly made them pay to ensure France avoided missing their first major tournament since 1994.

Slick move
Ireland's opener had been coming. Keane was first to be denied on 24 minutes, Hugo Lloris smothering him just as the first clear opening appeared forthcoming. Kevin Doyle, however, could offer no such mitigation for his misdirected header two minutes later, but had little time to wait for a reprieve. With 32 minutes gone, Damien Duff raced on to Kevin Kilbane's pass, reached the byline and pulled back for Keane to finish. Such French fragility again came to the fore two minutes into the second half, John O'Shea blasting recklessly over having been picked out from a free-kick.

Gallas winner
The defender made amends just after the hour, denying Thierry Henry when in behind the visitors' defence. Ireland should have been two in front a minute previously, though. In a role reversal, Keane laid on Duff but the midfielder, one-on-one with Lloris, scuffed his shot at the goalkeeper. After Anelka had spurned a header akin to that missed by Doyle, Keane passed up an opportunity of his own, running out of room having attempted to round Lloris. And so came extra time where in the eighth minute a hopeful France free-kick found its way to Henry, who squared for Gallas to head the goal that takes his country to South Africa.