France qualify for Football World Cup

PARIS: Former champions France secured their World Cup spot Wednesday after a dramatic 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland at the Stade de France.

Giovanni Trapattoni''s visitors, beaten 1-0 in Dublin last Saturday in the play-off first leg, took a shock lead in the 32nd minute through Robbie Keane.

But a controversial William Gallas goal in the first period of extra time was enough to send the 1998 winners through.