It is the last international match day of the year and we will be treated both to some decisive World Cup qualifiers as well as some quality international friendlies.
You already know about today's qualifiers, but there are also some great friendlies, including Germany-Ivory Coast, Italy-Sweden and Netherlands-Paraguay.
I will be providing live commentary on USA-Denmark so stay tuned for that. If you will be watching nay of the rest of today's action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action.
I’m an American with dual Irish citizenship, but have always been a big Henry fan. Until about an hour ago. Jesus. It was one thing to lose Saturday, but to be kept out of WC 2010 for this? I am gutted.
But honestly? The problem here is with FIFA. I love soccer/football, but the fact that such a crucial play, sending one country to the World Cup and another home, is not reviewable, is an affront to decency and good sportsmanship. I am absolutely gutted.
And let’s remember that that play also involved TWO players offside.
France should do the right thing. Either forfeit their WC entry and give it to Ireland or have a penalty shootout tomorrow night. No way can you respect a side or a group of supporters that will allow this to happen and happily go along with it.
Message to France: Do the Right thing.
ps – Henry looked ashamed of himself after the match. Rightfully so.
I wouldn’t want to be wearing blue in Temple Bar right now!
But I agree, this stuff is keeping soccer from taking off in the USA. Enter the 20th (let alone 21st) century and introduce freaking video replay.
http://twitpic.com/q16yt bs
Did you happen to catch the USA v. Germany circa 2002?
If there are riots and French people being lynched on the streets of Dubline, then maybe, just maybe there will be a replay.
This one of the prime reasons football (soccer) has not caught on in the USA. I’m freaking pissed off right now. I’m of Irish decent and Ireland is my 2nd fav team. I can only imagine if USA is wronged like this in a WC knock out game. It would ruin soccer for ever in america. We are a republic that stands for liberty and JUSTICE for all. This type of blatant disreguard for what is right turns me off to soccer. No Justice for ireland. Now go wait until 2014. This sucks!
You’re asking too much Dr. Iron. Who are you going to ask at UEFA to replay it, Platini?
uh, what are you smoking? that handball was about as blatant as it gets. i’m an arsenal fan who typically cheers for les bleus, but i’m gutted for the irish right now. no one deserves to lose like that. unbelievable that the linesman missed it. what a debacle
Is there any way they have to replay the game? Or am I asking too much out of a corrupt UEFA/FIFA?
So….you’re admitting he handled the ball? Thanks.
I think y’all are being too hard on Henry. The goal should not have counted, because his hand kept the ball from going out of bounds. However, I’m not sure I’d say that was intentional. Henry was probably surprised the ball even came to him, as there was another French player who tried the hand of G-d head feint to get the ball but he missed — just as well, because he was offside when the ball was played. Henry just kept running toward the goal and the ball bounced at hi. It was a handball, but I don’t think you cn say definitively that it was intentional.
Those refs need to be fired, plain and simple. That is inexcusable.
ireland should have put it away before extra time, duff and keane both missed 1 v 1’s in the 2nd half. this game will not be forgotten for a long time.
Tommy Smyth’s head just popped off of his neck and flew into the Connecticut sky.
Just a DISGRACE. Henry, watch yourself. Think back to the mess that Maradona’s life became after the Hand of God. Karma’s a bitch.
henry talking to dunne on the ground after the game
“sorry for cheating you out of the world cup”
any irony henry is the “fair play” fifa spokesperson
wow. and to think i used to respect henri. who knew he was a cheating scumbag. a true sportsman would have gone to the ref and called a handball on himself. but like a cowardly frenchman he has no honour.
Kudos Ireland, completely outplayed France just couldn’t get the luck or result they deserved.
I lost a lot of respect for Henry. That was an intentional handball…it guide the ball and kept it in bounds to pass it. Shameful way for France to qualify.
yeah major major handball there. tough luck for Ireland for it to come down to a missed call
Poor Ireland…they really deserved to go to the world cup this year. I hope France gets embarrased in SA.
If there is a God, France will get 0 points in the group stage next summer. Truly disgusting to watch.
Well that was a f&^%ing rip-off. I fully expect that ref to be calling the first US World Cup match. He’s just incompetent enough.
they sure didn’t deserve the win
Any one wanna bet France gets a top seed and still doesn’t make it to the knockout round
I will never never never root for Henry or France again
I ditto the cheat comments. It’s one thing to get away with a dive but when you handle the ball like that be a man and don’t cross it into your team.
Cheaters win again. Thanks FIFA.
I dont want henry in MLS anymore….
Wow! It really is overdue for FIFA to step it up on goal line tech. and the goal line officials. Oh wait, they like to manipulate these sorts of things don’t they. Henry should feel ashamed of himself for that cheater sh!t.
What a cheat. I mean what a f-ing cheat. That was as obvious and deliberate as they come.
Terrible. That should be reviewable. Ridiculous.
hand ball…. I’m French and I am ashamed tonight.
sad
No, it was the hand of an a–.
The hand of G-d kept that ball from going out of bounds.
Well, there’s one hero I’ll never respect again.
main d’dieu
;-P
i think henry should announce that the hand of god controlled that free kick
It’s alright…one goal from Eire and they’re through on away goals…ditto on the make up call
forget possible. yikes, that will be a famous no-call if this scoreline holds
i feel so bad for the ireland team and fans
Absolute hand ball. It is hard to even imagine the financial consequences alone of missing that call if this holds up.
Anyone know offhand the potential for review and possible fines?
wow terrible call should have been a yellow to henry for throwing his arm at that one
goal france. possible offsides, possible handball, but TERRIBLE ball watching by the irish defense who put a lot more energy into complaining during the play than defending.
henry tapped it into gallas, who headed in. it’s been all france for the first 15
ireland gets jobbed. clear handball from henry. goal should not have counted
You would hate to see a team like france that has been so disappointing get to the world cup on that play