Nicolas Anelka fired France a step closer to next summer’s World Cup finals as the Republic of Ireland’s brave resistance finally wilted.
Anelka’s 72nd-minute strike, which was deflected past Shay Given by the unwitting Sean St Ledger, was enough to condemn Giovanni Trapattoni’s side to their first defeat of the qualifying campaign and send the French into Wednesday night’s return with a lead and a precious away goal.