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France 1 - 1 Ireland (Agg 2 - 1)

The Arsenal defender struck from close range 13 minutes into extra-time to finally kill off Ireland's hopes of springing a major upset.

Skipper Thierry Henry controlled the ball with his hand before picking out his team-mate in front of goal, but Swedish referee Martin Hansson and his assistant saw no offence.

The goal cancelled out Robbie Keane's 32nd-minute opener as Ireland threatened to dump the 1998 winners out of the competition with a spirited display which saw them first wipe out France's first-leg advantage and then go close to overhauling it through John O'Shea and Damien Duff.

But ultimately, it was Gallas who proved the hero on the night as the Republic, who felt hard done by to be playing seeded France in the first place, succumbed to the cruellest of exits on a night when they did manager Giovanni Trapattoni and the whole country proud.

Victory over the course of the tie spared France manager Raymond Domenech further abuse, although when the dust settles, his critics may be far from appeased.

There was panic among Les Bleus with 26 minutes gone when Lawrence crossed from the right and Doyle glanced a header across the face of goal.

It was all very encouraging for the Irish, and their prayers were answered 13 minutes before the break.

Duff was gifted acres of space on the left to make his way to the goal-line before looking up and picking out Keane with the perfect pass.

The striker gleefully side-footed the ball past Lloris and into the bottom corner to set France back on their heels and blow the tie wide open.

Second half

In the 47th-minute, a free-kick to the far post where an unmarked O'Shea, perhaps astonished to be given so much time and space, controlled on his chest only to volley high over.

Once again the French response was tepid, and although Given was called upon to make his first real save with 54 minutes gone, Anelka's long-range effort never troubled him.

But as the home side pushed men forward, they became increasingly vulnerable, and Trapattoni's men were presented with a gilt-edged opening with 61 minutes gone.

Lawrence's defence-splitting pass put Duff in on goal, but the winger was denied by the impressive Lloris as he pulled off yet another vital stop.

Anelka glanced a header wide at one end and Keane rounded Lloris but could not get in a shot at the other as the game became increasingly frantic.

Given had to claw away an Anelka cross deep into injury time, but Ireland more than deserved their extra 30 minutes.

However, Ireland's luck deserted them 13 minutes into extra-time when Henry handled Florent Malouda's delivery before crossing for Gallas to score.

© Press Association