France Grab a place at the 2010 World Cup
In a hard fought contest over two legs, France overcame the Republic of Ireland 2-1 on aggregate following an extra time goal by William Gallas. However it was the build up to the goal that has angered the Irish along with true football fans. With the game evenly balanced, both teams going for the win in extra time to avoid a penalty shootout a long ball from just inside the Irish half was met by Henry deep on the byline. As the ball dropped the ball appeared to hit Henry on the arm, pushing the ball out of play.
That was until Henry then dragged the ball bag into his path showing skills more accustomed to the NBA and crossing to find the onrushing Gallas free to head home.
Despite the disputes form the Irish players, it would appear that neither the Referee nor his assistant were witness to the robbery that had just taken place. With little time left and despite the Irish looking for a second away goal to put them through, the result saw the French advance the South Africa, as quoted by some the right result in the eyes of FIFA officials and their UEFA counterparts.
The luck of the Irish had run out, although their display over the two legs earned them due respect from the footballing world, little consolation and yet another match incident that would have benefited from a fourth official.