Scandal in overtime
Probably, until then, no playoff had been involved in so much controversy. And it was not for less, because a world champion was on the ropes for more than 90 minutes and maybe, deserved to stay without the World Cup. However, a hand as miraculous as scandalous, and nothing less than from the figure of the Frenchman Thierry Henry, ended up taking France to South Africa 2010.
The Irish protest after Gallas' goal. It was in vain, the referee validated the goal. (Getty Images)
Raymond Domenech's team
The team then directed by Raymond Domenech faced Ireland for a place in the World Cup. In the first leg, France managed to take a minimal advantage in Dublin, thanks to the goal of Nicolas Anelka, which seemed to close the key and qualification for the French.
But everything collapsed inside the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, when Robbie Keane scored 1-0 for the Irish in the 33rd minute. Since then, the match turned into a constant attack by the French and an almost touching resistance by Giovanni Trapattoni's team, who managed to force extra time.
France being left out of the World Cup seemed as real as the almost nil options for Henry, Anelka and company to achieve the draw.
When the French were at their worst, Henry appeared to control the ball inside the area with his hand and give Gallas a definitive assist. Football, once again, jumped into the void. The Irish protests against such a hand were of no use. France avoided chaos at home and caught the last train to South Africa.
The hand of 'Titi' was so controversial and obvious that after the match and with France in the World Cup, the forward apologized through his Twitter account: "I am not the referee... but if I have hurt someone, I am very sorry", wrote the Frenchman.