France required a contentious equalizing goal in extra time to draw 1-1 and beat Ireland 2-1 on aggregate and qualify for the World Cup on Wednesday.
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William Gallas bundled the ball in from close range past goalkeeper Shay Given in the 103rd minute, but Thierry Henry appeared to control the ball twice with his hand before knocking it into the defender's path.
"It went so fast. I saw Thierry's pass, the Irish were surprised and I put my head, my chest ..." Gallas said of the goal as his voice trailed off.
Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni was livid and had to be calmed down by officials.
"I'm not only disappointed tonight, I'm also very sad," Trapattoni said. "The referee should have asked Henry, I'm sure he would have admitted there was a handball."
At the final whistle, Given collapsed and lay on the ground in total dejection for several minutes as France celebrated. Gallas jumped into coach Raymond Domenech's arms.
"It was difficult, arduous and sometimes miraculous," Domenech said. "We are happy, like the whole France of football. I knew we were going to make a 1-1 draw."
Domenech added that he didn't see the handball and that it was a shame that Ireland didn't qualify as well.
