Irish newspapers gloated on Friday after France was left on the verge of World Cup defeat, seven months after a disputed Thierry Henry handball dashed Ireland’s hopes of going to South Africa.
“Few will shed any tears at their current plight,” commented the Irish Examiner.
“To add to the delight of those of a bitter disposition, there was more than a hint of controversy about the second-half goal that put Mexico on the road to victory last night,” it noted, referring to offside claims for their first goal.
Ireland was furious last November after a clear handball by striker Thierry Henry which set up what turned out to be the decisive goal in their World Cup play-off went unpunished.
Meanwhile in Polokwane, embattled France coach Raymond Domenech said his star-studded, crisis-hit team desperately need a miracle now. “I don’t have the words, it’s a real disappointment for all those who believed in us,” added Domenech.
France captain Patrice Evra admitted “We are not a great team.”
“When you are knocked out of the European championship in the first round and you are also capable of being knocked out in the first round of the World Cup, you just don’t want to think about football after that,” he said. — AFP