Republic of Ireland 0-1 Italy: The Sunday Mirror verdict

Republic of Ireland’s World Cup dreams were hit by a St Ledger hammer.

France will take a vital away goal to the Stade de France on Wednesday after Sean St Ledger’s deflection put them in the driving seat last night.

Nicolas Anelka’s effort was going wide in the 72nd minute until it cruelly struck the Middlesbrough defender to give the French one foot in South Africa.

Ireland will rue a host of missed opportunities, and boss Giovanni Trapattoni will need to inspire them to do what his country have done just once in their history – win in Paris.

“We are a little bit disappointed because I think a fair result would have been a draw,” said Trapattoni.

“The team is sad but we’ve played only 90 minutes, it’s just the first half and now we have the second half in Paris.

“We can score a goal in Paris and it will be important to hold this confident mentality going into the next 90 minutes.”

Trapattoni’s confidence ahead of the Croke Park clash was clear on Friday when he named 10 of his starting 11.

He only had to decide whether to play Aiden McGeady or Liam Lawrence on the right, and the more robust Stoke man got the nod in the end.

Thierry Henry, reported to have been in a row with France manager Raymond Domenech in the team hotel, was still selected in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation.

The Barcelona striker saw little action early on as the Irish closed down their opposite numbers across the park, frustrating any attempts by France to get into a rhythm.

Andre-Pierre Gignac was an isolated figure up front but the Toulouse striker did show his ability when he cleverly chipped Shay Given only to see his effort flagged offside, much to the relief of Richard Dunne, whose slip sent him through.

The Republic were creating little but Lawrence looked  certain to give them the lead after Hugo Lloris pushed Robbie Keane’s effort into his path, only for Patrice Evra to rescue the French with a brilliant block.

The game was picking up and after Gignac flashed wide from Gourcuff’s splendid flick, Ireland broke and Keith Andrews’ attempted curler slid just wide.

Andrews nearly cost Ireland after 40 minutes, however, when he dallied on the edge of the box. Henry stole possession but shot wide.

The Republic really should have scored seven minutes after the restart. Damien Duff won a corner, from which Dunne headed into the danger area where John O’Shea, Keane and finally Kevin Kilbane all fail to test Lloris.

Then came the goal that sucked the life out of Croke Park.

Lassana Diarra was given too much space and fed Yoann Gourcuff, whose clever one-touch pass found Anelka. His effort appeared to be going wide but spun off the unlucky St Ledger and gave Given no chance.

France could have gone two up when Kilbane’s weak back-pass put Given in trouble. The keeper’s clearance fell to Gignac but he fired wide with the goal at his mercy.

Lloris kept France ahead in the 87th minute when he blocked Glenn Whelan’s close-range effort and it was to be Ireland’s last chance.