France secures 2010 World Cup appearance with 2-1 win over Ireland

France secures 2010 World Cup appearance with 2-1 win over Ireland

France team celebrates their win against Ireland in their World Cup qualifying playoff return leg match at the Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis near Paris November 18, 2009.

PARIS, Nov. 18 -- France managed to secure its 2010 World Cup appearance with 2-1 win over Ireland on Wednesday night at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, northern Paris.

France snatched its qualifier with one more goal in extra-time during their World Cup 2010 play-off second-leg match on the night.

France team coach Raymond Domenech (C)smiles after their win against Ireland in their World Cup qualifying playoff return leg match at the Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis near Paris November 18, 2009.

Ireland was leading France 1-0 in the first half after Robbie Keane scored with a strike. Despite deafening cheering from home audience, French team made no more goaling in the following half as Ireland kept on pressing in the early stages.

As France made 1-0 against Ireland in the first-leg away match in Dublin on Saturday, Ireland's opening goaling in Paris managed to bring the aggregate score level at 1-1.

France tried some tactics as time flying away, but all failed by Ireland goalkeeper's witty defending. Finally Sidney Govou managed one score, but referee Martin Hansson ruled him out for offside.

Final whistle blew as Thierry Henry made a decisive and contentious goal. Amid cheers of joy exploded the stade, Ireland fans shouting loud "Cheat, Cheat..."

Although Henry's dubitable hand movement seemed to have affected the ball's direction, referee waved away protest from Ireland goalkeeper and other teammates.

So far, France, the 1998 champions and 2006 runners-up pinned a spot in court of the 32-team World Cup finals in South Africa in December, along with other European representatives, Portugal, Greece and Slovenia.