Thierry Henry clearly handled Florent Malouda’s delivery and then picked out Gallas in front of goal, who drove home the equalizer in extra time. The referee Martin Hansson and his assistant did not see the infraction.
The goal nullified Robbie Keane’s 32nd minute opener. And cruelly snuffed out Ireland’s chances. For most part of the match, Ireland was the better team, enterprising in attack and stout in defense. The Irish could have gone ahead with John O’Shea and Damien Duff but they muffed simple chances. The French in contrast played insipidly failing to achieve any real threat on attack.