Lloris was again the pick of the bunch. Having starred in the 1-0 first leg win in Dublin, the OL custodian kept France in the tie at the Stade de France with some fantastic goalkeeping.

Hugo Lloris (Lyon and France goalkeeper): "It's great for me to have had the chance to play these two games. I'm immensely proud to represent my country. Not everybody gets to play in a World Cup and it's a dream for any player. They say great teams are born in moments of difficulty and hopefully that will be the case with us. The Irish didn't give up until the final whistle but at the end of the day what counts is that France were able to play with spirit to obtain the necessary result."

France coach Raymond Domenech confirmed that Lloris is his number one keeper "today", while 100-cap Ireland keeper Shay Given has predicted great things for his opposite number.

Lloris said: "Coming from Shay Given, who has an immense reputation in England and has had a great career, well that can only make me happy. It also gives me the desire to keep working hard to play more big matches. And I've got some big matches coming up with Lyon in the Champions League."

André-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse and France striker): "We had the jitters a bit because the stakes were so high. I was scared when Damien Duff was through on goal with the chance to make it 2-0. This was a really good Ireland team. Their strikers have great movement, they're very cunning and they created a lot of chances. I wasn't at my best. South Africa isn't until June. If I'm called up it will be the happiest day of my life. I always have to prove I'm worthy of my place at this level."

Thierry Henry (France captain): "There was a hand, but I'm not the referee. Toto [Sébastien Squillaci] went up for the header. I was behind two Irishmen. The ball bounced and touched my hand, the referee didn't whistle and I played on, but of course it touched my hand. We're through and the fact we did it the hard way means we appreciate it all the more."

>> France 1-1 Ireland: match report