Nine years, and we’re still not over it. Not even nearly.
The year was 2009. The Republic of Ireland were in a World Cup play-off against France. We had got out of Croke Park with a 1-0 loss and though it was asking a lot of us to qualify, the tie was still very much alive.
We had the dream start in Paris. We scored a beautifully-worked goal. A goal as good as any goal we’ve scored since.
We played well. We brought the game to extra-time. We were headed towards penalties, with all the momentum in the world. Beating the French in their own backyard. We’re not saying that we were definitely going to win but… we were.
And then one of the biggest travesties in the history of sport took place. Thierry Henry controlled the ball with his hand, TWICE, flicked it back to William Gallas, and he won the game for France.
It was a horrible night. The image of a distraught Shay Given pleading with the referee, the iconic picture of a defeated Richard Dunne sat beside the criminal himself. It was all too much to take.
But to quote Eamon Dunphy: “Karma. What goes around comes around, baby.”
France were eliminated in the group stages of the tournament, and didn’t win a single game.
Now, we’re not saying that we were going to win the World Cup if Henry hadn’t handled the ball, but… we were.
You remember the heartbreak, no doubt about it, but do you remember our starting XI?
Good luck! (If the quiz doesn’t display properly, just click here.)
