NICOLAS ANELKA, so long the enfant terrible of French football, was being toasted by Les Bleus as he scored the lone goal that put his side in the driving seat against a Republic of Ireland side that fought bravely but was ultimately outclassed. Though Ireland competed ferociously, they were undone by their more technically gifted opponents and Anelka deserved the bit of luck that came his way when he scored on 72 minutes.

Anelka, who has reinvented himself as an international player after being considered surplus to requirements at the last European championships, scored with a long-range effort that deflected off Sean St Ledger and though Ireland almost snatched an equaliser on the 87th minute through Glenn Whelan, they are now on the brink of elimination.

The only slight doubt leading up to kick-off was whether Liam Lawrence would start ahead of Aiden McGeady on the right. In the end, the Stoke player’s physicality won through. Perhaps Giovanni Trapattoni was also aware of Ireland’s playoff record is poor — having won only one in five attempts — and a draw would keep the tie alive going to Paris in four days’ time.

For France, Raymond Domenech drafted in Bordeaux midfielder Alou Diarra for his 23rd cap. Diarra’s selection led to reports from the French media that the captain Thierry Henry had clashed with Domenech in a Dublin hotel over Patrick Vieira’s absence from the squad. Still, Trapattoni could only have been envious of the talent at Domenech’s fingertips. Such was the quality of the French attack that Domenech could afford to leave Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema on the bench. As a result, it was billed very much as a battle of passion and commitment versus technique and flair and it was honours even at half time, with chances scarce on both sides.

Richard Dunne seemed to have been rattled when he allowed the ball to bounce over his head, but Andre-Pierre Gignac was ruled offside as he whacked the ball past Shay Given. Kevin Kilbane and John O’Shea also had their nervous moments judging the ball coming out of the Dublin sky, but the endeavour of Keith Andrews and Whelan in midfield meant that France were finding it difficult to settle on the ball. At the other end the home team managed to carve out one great chance on 27 minutes with a route one move that was reminiscent of the equaliser they scored against Italy in Bari in April. Given’s long clearance was headed on by Kevin Doyle on the edge of the box and the ball was deflected into the path of Lawrence with the net gaping, but Patrice Evra got a touch to the shot and a golden opportunity went begging. Then, before the break, Andrews, who appeared to cover every inch of grass in the first half, shot narrowly wide when Doyle picked him out on the edge of the box.

It was absorbing and at times exhilarating to watch, but we wondered whether Ireland could sustain the furious pace and workrate. They did carve out another chance on 53 minutes when Damien Duff appeared to have skinned Bacary Sagna with a dummy but the Arsenal man recovered. From the resulting corner, O’Shea turned the ball towards Robbie Keane, whose overhead kick found Kilbane, and his shot was saved by Hugo Lloris as the referee spotted a mysterious infringement.

Where Irish tackles had been flying in, gaps started to appear, with Yoann Gourcoff in particular starting to find plenty of room. In the space of three minutes Gourcoff, Lassana Diara and Anelka all had good efforts, as the game started to be played almost exclusively in the Irish half and the home team began to drop deeper. Lloris was dealing competently with any ball crossed into his box and when Duff managed to pick out Doyle for a rare opportunity on 68 minutes, the Wolves striker sent his header over.

From the ensuing French move, there was a big scare when Evra moved with pace into the box and got a touch on the ball before he fell over the onrushing Irish keeper, but it would have been a harsh penalty and Given escaped. But the writing was on the wall and on 72 minutes France opened the scoring as they carved open a static Ireland defence.

Gourcuff flicked the ball on to Anelka and his shot from the edge of the area deflected off St Ledger and went in off a helpless Given’s left upright. The French fans massed on Hill 16 got a bird’s eye view and began celebrating as though the tie was already theirs. Andrews might have made them change their minds a minute later, but he shot straight at Lloris.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Given, O'Shea, St Ledger, Dunne, Kilbane, Lawrence (McGready 76min), Whelan, Andrews, Duff (Hunt 80min), Doyle (Best 70min), Keane.

FRANCE: Lloris, Sagna, Gallas, Abidal, Evra, L Diarra, A Diarra, Gourcuff, Anelka, Gignac (Malouda 90min), Henry