Former City forward Robbie Keane had scored for Ireland in the 33rd minute to take the second leg of this World Cup qualifying Play-Off in Paris into extra time.
In the 103rd minute, Thierry Henry clearly handled the ball twice in order to direct it into the path of William Gallas who equalised.
With no further goals in the second period of extra time, France booked their place in the Finals in South Africa with a 2-1 aggregate.