By Andrew Warshaw
November 20 – European representation at next year’s World Cup is now complete after France incredibly came back from the brink to become the first country ever to overcome a two-goal first-leg playoff deficit.
Sections of the French media had denounced Didier Deschamps’ team as one of the most disjointed in history after last week’s dismal 2-0 defeat in Ukraine but a stunning 3-0 return win in Paris prevented France missing a major tournament for the first time in 20 years.
Amazingly it was Ukraine’s fourth failed attempt at qualifying for the finals via the playoffs after also missing out in 1998, 2002 and 2010.
“It’s the magic of football. Four days ago we were bad, very bad,” said Deschamps. “It was important for French football to be in Brazil next year – when we’ve got all the ingredients we can do great things.”
Striker Olivier Giroud stole the public address announcer’s microphone after the game to sing ‘La Marseillaise’ with the delighted crowd.
Deschamps made five changes, one enforced due to the suspension of Laurent Koscielny, and the gamble paid off on a dramatic night at the Stade de France, aided by Ukraine playing the last 45 minutes with 10 men when Yevhen Khacheridi was dismissed for a lunging tackle on the flying Ribery.
If the French comeback was the collective display of the night, the individual award went to Cristiano Ronaldo who will surely never score a more decisive hat-trick as Portugal added to their 1-0 first-leg win by eliminating Sweden with a 3-2 victory in Stockholm.
It was billed as the clash of the titans but Ronaldo’s mesmerising performance totally overshadowed Zlatan Ibrahimovic who will now miss out on the finals.
Greece and Croatia were the other playoff winners against Romania and Iceland respectively while Ghana and Algeria joined the African representation in Brazil. Mexico completed their long route to qualification beating New Zealand for a second time in their play-off.
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