Thierry Henry was compared to Diego Maradona, although not the way he may have wished, and coach Raymond Domenech faced further criticism after France controversially scraped past the Republic of Ireland to make the World Cup.
While Ireland were understandably devastated, France were far from praised in the local media after captain Henry controversially handled the ball in the build-up to a late William Gallas goal that gave his side the edge.
"The hand of God," screamed a headline on the front page of French sports daily L'Equipe.
The reference to Maradona's infamous hand-made goal in a 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England came after Henry controlled the ball with his hand in a crowded penalty area and crossed for Gallas to bundle home the decider on 103 minutes.
"France have qualified for the 2010 World Cup, that's for sure, but the result, the most essential thing in sport after all, is not enough to erase the uneasy feeling we had last night," L'Equipewrote.
Domenech, under fire since he was left in charge after France's Euro 2008 flop, was far from apologetic after the game.
"I don't see what we could have done better," he told reporters after a dismal performance. "We needed to qualify and we did that, even if it was painful. Victories like this one, at the end of a difficult campaign, give this side heart and soul."
And, adopting the Arsene Wenger approach, he claimed not to have seen the controversial goal properly.
"I didn't see the replay," he said. "From where I was, I couldn't see anything. All I know is the referee awarded the goal."
French media, who have never left Domenech alone, criticising his tactics and attitude, were not convinced by his statements.
"The question of whether the coach should stay in charge remains legitimate," L'Equipewrote. "Raymond Domenech managed to qualify the team but, on what they showed last night, is he the man able to make that team improve in seven months?"
The British press were also quick to criticise Henry, with headlines ranging from ‘French nickers’ in the Mirror to the more considered ‘Ireland robbed by cruel hand of Henry’ in today’s Guardian.
