Anelka goal the decider

Republic of Ireland 0 France 1

Nicolas Anelka blasted France to within touching distance of World Cup salvation as the Republic of Ireland’s brave resistance was finally broken.

The Chelsea striker’s 72nd-minute shot was deflected past Shay Given by Sean St Ledger to hand the French a precious lead and valuable away goal to take into Wednesday night’s second leg in Paris.

It could have been worse for Giovanni Trapattoni’s men with Andre-Pierre Gignac guilty of a glaring miss with 10 minutes remaining, although goalkeeper Hugo Lloris had to make a brave 87th-minute save to deny Glenn Whelan an equaliser.