Thierry Henry having a laugh!

Not to be out done, within 5 minutes,  Reid saw his free kick curl around the wall and clip the upright. Robbie Keane was unlucky as he was brought down in the box when Thuram appeared to clip his heals but had his penalty appeal waved away.  The Irish pressure was manifested in Morrison’s effort which was not far wide and Robbie Keane’s goal bound kick was just deflected away for a corner.  Then a deflection off Bousmsong forced  Coupet to make a good save.

The French proved their danger and quality when Makele saw his shot flying wide following some trickery on the edge of the box.    The Irish packed the defence and midfield and stopped the French from controlling play in the Irish half.   Reid and Duff fell back and Roy Keane and Kilbane covered the two centre backs, Dunne and Cunningham, thus depriving the French some goal scoring opportunities.   French frustration was demonstrated when Zidane was booked for kicking Dunne who had just dispossessed him!

Ireland continued to apply pressure and after 35 minuted Roy Keane rolled a free kick to Carr's whose rocked shot was blocked by Sagnol and deflected for a corner. Just before half-time Vieira volleyed a headed Irish clearance for over 20 metres out and was just off target as the French ended an exhilarating high.

The Irish came out in the seond half and tried to slow the tempo by playing a holding game.   Ireland created a couple of chances but the keeper wasn’t really tested. Roy Keane, Reid and Morrison all picked up bookings ruling them out of the Cyprus game.

Duff made a mazy run inside Sagnol that led to a shot which was deflected. After 54 minutes Kilbane rifled a pass into the space between centre-back Thuram and Sagnol which released Duff. Just as he was about to pull the trigger, Thuram managed to get back to smother the ball and force a corner kick.

Then on 67 minutes a piece of magic out of nothing.  Wiltord controlled the ball on the edge of the Irish box but lost possession.  Henry nipped in and deftly curled the ball, from over 20 metresn into the far corner of Given’s net, leaving the keeper with no chance as the ball swerved just inside the upright.

Ireland went in search of the equaliser and forced a couple of set-pieces in quick succession. Zidane was forced off by injury just after the goal too but Ireland were still struggling to create the killer move.

Doherty and Harte were brought on with ten minutes remaining, the resulting tactic was predictable with everything aimed at Doherty's head.  But alas it was not to be and Ireland dropped all three points at home.

Republic of Ireland:: Given, Carr, O’Shea, Dunne, Cunningham, Roy Keane, Kilbane (Harte, 79 mins), Duff, Reid, Robbie Keane, Morrison (Doherty, 79 mins).

France: Coupet, Sagnol (Givet, 90 mins), Thuram, Boumsong, Gallas, Makelele, Vieira, Zidane (Malouda,70) mins, Dhorasoo, Wiltord, Henry (Cisse, 76 mins).

Ref: Mr. Herbert Fandel (Germany).