Ireland test the French in qualifier

France 0 Republic of Ireland 0

Brian Kerr's Republic of Ireland have gone into the break of their World Cup Group 4 qualifier deservedly level with a France team that looks out of sorts in the middle of the field.

When the anthems were played before kick-off, and with an apparent record travelling support of more than 30,000 Irish fans, the noise generated by both sets of supporters was ear-splitting.

Inside 70 seconds Ireland created the first opportunity when Roy Keane provided a defence-splitting ball into the path of Clinton Morrison.

But the delivery had marginally too much weight on it as France captain Fabien Barthez collected off the toes of the Birmingham striker.

Thierry Henry’s first significant contribution was to curl in a left-wing free-kick too close to Shay Given in the 10th minute, allowing the Newcastle goalkeeper to comfortably collect.

After a Kevin Kilbane drive had ricocheted off Sebastien Squillaci for a corner which came to nothing, Highbury team-mates Robert Pires and Henry soon combined – but again the ball was too heavy as Given claimed.

There was consternation moments later, though, when Stephen Carr’s flick header back to Given was aimlessly directed – forcing the 28-year-old to hastily parry the ball away for a corner as Henry ran in.

France began to impose themselves, pushing the Irish further back before Finnan broke the spell with a 20-yard drive into the waiting arms of former Manchester United goalkeeper Barthez.

Ireland then created the game’s best chance to date when Damien Duff played a short free-kick on the right wing into Finnan for a piercing cross which Morrison glanced wide from 12 yards.

There were Irish claims for a penalty moments later when Kevin Kilbane went to ground inside the area – and although his dive was apparent, it failed to earn a caution from Spanish referee Arturo Dauden Ibanez.

There was retribution of a different kind for Everton midfielder Kilbane, though, because he was caught in the face by the knee of Mikael Silvestre as he fell.

The match evened itself out again just after the half-hour mark, with both sides looking for a breakthrough – prompting Chelsea’s William Gallas to fire in an angled drive which clearly stung the fingers of Given who claimed only at the second attempt.

As Morrison struggled with an injury to his left knee, France then almost carved Ireland open in the 37th minute as Pires played a one-two on the edge of the area with Henry before driving in a 15-yard shot the Ireland goalkeeper superbly tipped away.

Morrison, with two goals in his last two internationals, limped off a minute later to be replaced by Andy Reid – the right-winger asked to take up a forward role in behind Robbie Keane.