France rise to magnificent Henry

France finally broke the deadlock in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 4 as Thierry Henry scored the only goal in a hard-earned win away to the Republic of Ireland.

Superb winner
Until tonight, all matches involving the top four teams in this group - France, Ireland, Switzerland and Israel - had ended in draws, leaving the pool as the most congested of the eight European sections. Thanks to a superb goal from the Arsenal FC captain on 67 minutes, however, Les Bleus and Switzerland - who defeated Cyprus 3-1 - have established a significant advantage in the race to reach Germany 2006. Ireland's task has been made tougher by the fact that three of their players - Roy Keane, Clinton Morrison and Andy Reid - will miss their next qualifier in Cyprus through suspension following bookings at Lansdowne Road.

Free-kick threat
Ireland had the best of the opening 45 minutes, but the French - seeking a first win in Dublin since 1953 - went close to breaking the deadlock as Zinedine Zidane's free-kick from outside the area drew a stunning one-handed save from Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given. The home side retaliated in kind four minutes later, Andy Reid seeing his set-piece strike a post. Morrison then shot wide, Keane was booked and Patrick Vieira let fly with a shot which flew wide as the break approached.

Crucial goal
Richard Dunne roused the sell-out 36,000 crowd with a header a minute into the second half, but gradually the French took control, Henry narrowly shooting wide on 53 minutes before his crucial clincher. Ireland failed to deal with a ball into the striker from Sylvain Wiltord, and as the home defence stood back, Henry curled a quite wonderful shot over Given. Ireland's only response was a shot by Robbie Keane on 73 minutes but that was easily dealt with by Grégory Coupet, and France held on for a vital win which clears their path to Germany.