France qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa on the back of a controversial William Gallas goal in extra time.

Thierry Henry deliberately handled the ball twice in the 103rd minute before prodding it to a waiting Gallas in the six-yard box. Gallas headed it past a stranded Shay Given to give the French an undeserved 2-1 aggregate victory after they had beaten the Ireland 1-0 in Dublin.

In another game surrounded by controversy, Algeria beat Egypt 1-0 in a one-game playoff in Sudan. The playoff was required after Egypt had beaten Algeria 2-0 in Cairo to finish equal with Algeria on points, goals and goal difference. The game in Cairo was marred by crowd violence, with three Algerian players injured when Egyptian fans stoned their team bus.

Portugal made it to the World Cup without Cristiano Ronaldo when they beat Bosnia 1-0 away to wrap up the two-legged playoff 2-0 on aggregate.

Slovenia returned to the World Cup for the second time since their independence in 1992 when they upset Russia 1-0 at home to go through on the away-goal rule after the tie finished 2-2 on aggregate. Russia paid the price for letting Slovenia score a late goal in their 2-1 victory in Moscow.

Greece will also take a second trip to the World Cup finals when they shocked Ukraine 1-0 away. The Greeks were held to a 0-0 draw at home in the first leg.