World Cup 2010 Playoff: France, Slovenia, Portugal, Greece qualified

Republic of Ireland’s dreams of reaching the 2010 World Cup finals were shattered after they suffered a cruel and controversial 1-1 extra-time draw with France in Paris to lose their play-off on aggregate.

Robbie Keane had erased Les Bleus’ one-goal advantage from the opening meeting in the first half, but William Gallas struck in contentious circumstances in extra-time after Thierry Henry had handled in the build-up to book a place in South Africa.

But it was a tense opening as Ireland answered Trapattoni’s calls for ‘cool heads’ and dictated the first half-hour, correcting the weekend’s wastefulness in possession, to be rewarded when captain Keane converted Damien Duff’s 33rd minute cutback.

Neither side could find another goal in 90 minutes, but Gallas equalised from close range in the first half of extra-time to sneak a 2-1 aggregate win after France skipper Henry had avoided punishment when clearly controlling a free-kick with his hand.

Slovenia clinched a place in the World Cup finals after a 1-0 home win over Russia secured an away goals triumph on aggregate.

Russia had been favourites to progress to South Africa, but a late away goal in Moscow from Nejc Pecnik gave Slovenia hope for the return.

And the Slovenians took full advantage of a partisan home support to grab the only goal of the second leg a minute before half-time through Zlatko Dedic.

Portugal negotiated a tricky tie to qualify for the World Cup after a 1-0 success in Bosnia-Herzegovina sealed a 2-0 aggregate victory.

Carlos Queiroz’s side headed into the second leg in front thanks to Bruno Alves’ goal on home soil, but Bosnia-Herzegovina had been unfortunate to be trailing after being denied by the woodwork three times in Portugal.

However, Portugal made no mistake in the return as Raul Meireles’ goal after 56 minutes was enough to guarantee a safe passage through to South Africa.

Dimitris Salpigidis fired Greece to the 2010 World Cup finals with the only goal of their play-off victory against Ukraine.

Salpigidis broke the deadlock at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk in the 31st minute as he latched onto a great pass from Giorgos Samaras to finish superbly beyond home goalkeeper Andrei Piatov.