Henry’s hammer blow

Republic of Ireland 0 France 1

With Switzerland winning against Cyprus, and Israel beating the Faroes, the Group 4 table provides unhappy reading for Irish fans this morning. The closer we get to Germany the further away it seems.

After a tense, tight battle Ireland might count themselves unlucky to have gone down to the Gunner's stroke of genius, but having failed to trouble Coupet overmuch at the other end, they can hardly complain that it came wholly against the run of play.