Mooley
TK Veteran
Ireland may feel like they have a mountain to climb to reach the World Cup after losing the home leg of their play-off - but France have come unstuck before.
Euro 2008 - Domenech disaster (just one of many)
Just months after the French Football Federation handed Raymond Domenech a new two-year contract, his side suffered an ignominious first-round failure at Euro 2008. Les Bleus opened their campaign with an insipid 0-0 draw against Romania, followed by a crushing 4-1 loss to the Netherlands and a drab 2-0 defeat to Italy. If the French players endured the indignity of their defeat, it was nothing compared to the outrage levelled at Domenech, who was publicly lambasted by the majority of the class of 1998 - with even Frank Leboeuf wading in with disapproval. The beleaguered coach - probably uniquely, and certainly bizarrely - admitted that his team selection was influenced by astrology as players and fans collectively derided his methods.
World Cup 2002 - Senegal shocker
Before Papa Bouba Diop lowered his profile at Craven Cottage, he made himself a hero by bundling home a 30th-minute winner to stun France and reduce the reigning world and European champions to a laughing stock. Playing in their first ever match in a World Cup finals, Senegal were expected to be brushed aside by the buoyant Les Bleus, but the African side held on to bring back memories of Cameroon's shock victory over Argentina in 1990. Accused of complacency, Roger Lemerre's side were out of the tournament by the group stage without having scored a goal - a dire 0-0 draw against Uruguay was followed by a desperate 2-0 defeat to Denmark.
World Cup 1982 - Schumacher scandal
Having reached the 1982 World Cup semi-final, a France side of immense quality and boasting the inspired leadership of Michel Platini saw their dreams dashed at the hands of a West Germany side who had lost to 1,000-1 outsiders Algeria 2-1 in their opening match. But it was a moment of bewildering cynicism, clumsiness and crudeness from German goalkeeper Harold Schumacher which remains the enduring image of the match. Patrick Battiston roared through the Germany half to latch on to Platini's through-ball, which Schumacher completely ignored as he thrust his hipbone into the Frenchman's face; he crumpled to the floor, unconscious. With little more than a cursory look of disdain down at Battiston and incredibly no foul awarded by the referee, Schumacher wandered off to prepare for a goal-kick. Battiston lost two teeth and suffered extensive vertebrae damage as France lost 5-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw; the match in Seville is regarded as an all-time classic.
World Cup 1990-1994 - Houllier howler
Having failed to qualify for the 1990 World Cup under the stewardship of Henri Michel, including an infamous 1-1 draw with Cyprus in their unsuccessful campaign, France turned to Platini. The new boss was named Manager of the Year in 1991 in staggeringly premature fashion in the World Soccer Awards, but could not lead his side beyond the first-round stage of the 1992 European Championships in Sweden. Cue Gerard Houllier who, tasked with guiding his country to the 1994 World Cup, saw his fortunes plummet even after opening the campaign with a loss away to Bulgaria. A reprieve was handed to Houllier as his side required just one point from their final two matches, but a shock 3-2 loss to Israel was followed by a 2-1 defeat to Bulgaria as the French, like England, failed to make the trip to the USA.
Euro 2004 - Greek tragedy
Jacques Santini had a full-strength side at his disposal in the tournament, with Zinedine Zidane at the forefront with two goals against England in the group stage. The defending champions were much fancied as they faced surprise package Greece in the quarter-finals, but were duly dumped out of the tournament by Otto Rehhagel, who declared the 'mission impossible' victory "the greatest moment in Greek football". A powerful header from Angelos Charisteas stunned a lethargic and out-of-sorts France whose abundantly talented group of players were caught napping by Rehhagel's functional and efficient side. What was already a low ebb for France plunged to new depths when Domenech was presented as Santini's successor to compound the public's misery after the tournament.
Dan Quarrell / Eurosport
Euro 2008 - Domenech disaster (just one of many)
Just months after the French Football Federation handed Raymond Domenech a new two-year contract, his side suffered an ignominious first-round failure at Euro 2008. Les Bleus opened their campaign with an insipid 0-0 draw against Romania, followed by a crushing 4-1 loss to the Netherlands and a drab 2-0 defeat to Italy. If the French players endured the indignity of their defeat, it was nothing compared to the outrage levelled at Domenech, who was publicly lambasted by the majority of the class of 1998 - with even Frank Leboeuf wading in with disapproval. The beleaguered coach - probably uniquely, and certainly bizarrely - admitted that his team selection was influenced by astrology as players and fans collectively derided his methods.
World Cup 2002 - Senegal shocker
Before Papa Bouba Diop lowered his profile at Craven Cottage, he made himself a hero by bundling home a 30th-minute winner to stun France and reduce the reigning world and European champions to a laughing stock. Playing in their first ever match in a World Cup finals, Senegal were expected to be brushed aside by the buoyant Les Bleus, but the African side held on to bring back memories of Cameroon's shock victory over Argentina in 1990. Accused of complacency, Roger Lemerre's side were out of the tournament by the group stage without having scored a goal - a dire 0-0 draw against Uruguay was followed by a desperate 2-0 defeat to Denmark.
World Cup 1982 - Schumacher scandal
Having reached the 1982 World Cup semi-final, a France side of immense quality and boasting the inspired leadership of Michel Platini saw their dreams dashed at the hands of a West Germany side who had lost to 1,000-1 outsiders Algeria 2-1 in their opening match. But it was a moment of bewildering cynicism, clumsiness and crudeness from German goalkeeper Harold Schumacher which remains the enduring image of the match. Patrick Battiston roared through the Germany half to latch on to Platini's through-ball, which Schumacher completely ignored as he thrust his hipbone into the Frenchman's face; he crumpled to the floor, unconscious. With little more than a cursory look of disdain down at Battiston and incredibly no foul awarded by the referee, Schumacher wandered off to prepare for a goal-kick. Battiston lost two teeth and suffered extensive vertebrae damage as France lost 5-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw; the match in Seville is regarded as an all-time classic.
World Cup 1990-1994 - Houllier howler
Having failed to qualify for the 1990 World Cup under the stewardship of Henri Michel, including an infamous 1-1 draw with Cyprus in their unsuccessful campaign, France turned to Platini. The new boss was named Manager of the Year in 1991 in staggeringly premature fashion in the World Soccer Awards, but could not lead his side beyond the first-round stage of the 1992 European Championships in Sweden. Cue Gerard Houllier who, tasked with guiding his country to the 1994 World Cup, saw his fortunes plummet even after opening the campaign with a loss away to Bulgaria. A reprieve was handed to Houllier as his side required just one point from their final two matches, but a shock 3-2 loss to Israel was followed by a 2-1 defeat to Bulgaria as the French, like England, failed to make the trip to the USA.
Euro 2004 - Greek tragedy
Jacques Santini had a full-strength side at his disposal in the tournament, with Zinedine Zidane at the forefront with two goals against England in the group stage. The defending champions were much fancied as they faced surprise package Greece in the quarter-finals, but were duly dumped out of the tournament by Otto Rehhagel, who declared the 'mission impossible' victory "the greatest moment in Greek football". A powerful header from Angelos Charisteas stunned a lethargic and out-of-sorts France whose abundantly talented group of players were caught napping by Rehhagel's functional and efficient side. What was already a low ebb for France plunged to new depths when Domenech was presented as Santini's successor to compound the public's misery after the tournament.
Dan Quarrell / Eurosport
