World Cup Update
Following the final round of World Cup qualifiers that took place in Europe, South America and Africa last night, the final six places at next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa have been filled.
Two-time winners Uruguay and 1998 champions France will be joined by Portugal, Slovenia, Greece and Algeria in the draw for the group stages, which takes place in Cape Town on December 4.
Controversy reigned in France as William Gallas scored an extra time winner to break Irish hearts courtesy of a handball by Barcelona striker Thierry Henry.
Irish players protested to referee Martin Hansson, but the goal was given.
It was a cruel blow for Irish players and fans alike after Giovanni Trapatoni’s men had produced an outsatnding performance at the Stade de France to put them on the brink of qualification.
Cristiano Ronaldo-less Portugal ensured their progress with a goal from Jose Raul Meireles, earning them a 1-0 win away to Bosnia to go through by two goals to nil on aggregate.
Slovenia created the shock of the evening, overcoming Guus Hiddink’s Russia 1-0 to qualify on away goals, reaching the finals for the second time.
On a bad night for Russia, Hiddink’s men ended the match with only nine men after Alexander Kerzhakov and Yuri Zhirkov saw red.
Euro 2004 champions Greece also sealed their progress to South Africa with another one nil win away from home in the Ukraine.
A first half goal from Dimitris Salpigidis and an insipred second half performance from keeper Alexandros Tzorvas kept the home side at bay as Greece sealed qualification for the first time in 16 years.
1930 and 1950 winners Uruguay defeated Costa Rica by 2-1 on aggregate.
Leading 1-0 from the first leg in Costa Rica, the home side doubled their advantage when Sebastian Abreu opened up the scoring with a header.
Costa Rica levelled through Walter Centeno but were unable to find a decisive second goal, allowing the hosts to join South American rivals Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Paraguay in the finals.
Amid fears of violence, Algeria overcame African rivals Egypt in a tense play-off in Sudan.
Defender Antah Yahia scored the only goal of the match, volleying in from eight yards out. Six-times African champions Egypt laid siege to the Algerian goal but found keeper Fawzi Chaouchi in inspired form, repelling chance after chance to send Algeria to the finals for the first time since 1986.
On Saturday, the All Whites of New Zealand reached the finals with victory over Bahrain in Wellington, Cameroon overcame Morocco to seal their sixth appearance at the finals and the Super Eagles of Nigeria defied the odds to qualify, beating Kenya 3-2 as group leaders Tunisia went down 1-0 to Mozambique.