France qualified for its fourth consecutive World Cup when officials missed an obvious hand ball by Thierry Henry that led to William Gallas’ overtime goal in a 1-1 tie against Ireland on Wednesday night. With help from Swedish referee Martin Hansson, who failed to call the hand ball, France avoided a penalty-kicks shootout and won the home-and-home, total-goals playoff 2-1.
France to World Cup on disputed OT goal (AP)
Published: November 18, 2009