Paris - France needed extra-time and a controversial equalizer from William Gallas Wednesday before eventually securing a 1-1 draw against Ireland that was enough to book their place at next summer's World Cup finals in South Africa. Leading 1-0 from the first leg in Dublin, France found themselves in a dogfight from the moment Robbie Keane levelled the tie on aggregate 33 minutes into the first half.
However after suffering numerous scares, Raymond Domenech's side finally got the goal they needed in the first period of injury time through Gallas, although Thierry Henry clearly controlled the ball with his hand before crossing it for his teammate to tap home.
France started nervously at the Stade de France, a situation that wasn't helped by the early substitution of Julien Escude by Sebastien Squillaci because a nose injury.
It was certainly Ireland who settled the better and France needed a brave save from goalkeeper Hugo Lloris on 24 minutes to prevent Keane from putting the visitors in front.
Kevin Doyle almost latched on to a Liam Lawrence header two minutes later as the Irish continued to dominate possession and shortly afterwards Keane finally got the goal the Irish pressure deserved, firing low past Lloris to level the tie on aggregate.
The French defence continued to be at sixes and sevens on set pieces and John O'Shea found himself totally unmarked a minute after the restart but blasted over.
Lloris once again came to France's rescue on the hour-mark when Duff found himself clear on goal while a minute later Henry was denied by a combination of Richard Dunne and Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given.
There was still time for another chance to fall to Keane but he was unable to control the ball, sending the tie into extra-time.
Nicolas Anelka was the first to threaten in the first period of extra-time, sending a shot just wide before tumbling in the area but referee Martin Hansson waved play on.
However, the reprieve was only temporary as William Gallas poked the ball home from close range on 103 minutes but only after Henry had clearly controlled the ball with his hand.
Ireland pushed forward in the last 15 minutes in search of the goal that would put their name into the hat for the December 4 draw in Cape Town but to no avail.
