Anelka puts France in charge after 1-0 win in Dublin

France will take a 1-0 World Cup qualification play-off lead over Ireland to Paris for next Wednesday's return after striker Nicolas Anelka's deflected second-half goal handed the visitors victory in yesterday's first leg.

Russia beat Slovenia 2-1 in the first leg of their play-off, but could live to regret a late Slovenia goal that has made Wednesday's second leg far closer than the Russians would have wanted.

Greece and Ukraine drew 0-0 in the first leg of their play-off in Athens, with Ukraine now favourites to take control of the tie at home in Donetsk this week while Portugal will take a slender lead to Bosnia after edging a 1-0 win last night.

France, world champions in 1998 and finalists last time out, eventually shaded proceedings at a packed Croke Park before silencing the home crowd when Anelka's 71st minute shot spun cruelly in off defender Sean St. Ledger and then the post.

Giovanni Trapattoni's resolute Irish side will not be totally dispirited, having at least kept the tie alive going into Wednesday's deciding leg. They will have to overturn the deficit to reach their first World Cup since 2002.

In Moscow, two goals from Diniyar Bilyaletdinov on either side of half-time put the Russians in control over Slovenia in Moscow and in sight of their 10th World Cup finals appearance, including those made by the Soviet Union.

Slovenia's only previous showing in the finals came in 2002 but substitute Nejc Pecnik gave them real hopes of another appearance with his late header to leave Wednesday's second leg in Maribor in the balance.

"It's always disappointing when you allow your rivals to score a goal at the very end but we can only blame ourselves for it," said Hiddink.

"We had plenty of chances to increase our lead but missed them, while Slovenia converted one of their rare chances into a goal. But I believe we will score in the away match and clinch a place in the World Cup finals."

Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek said he was disappointed with the result but added his team still had a great chances to qualify for the finals.

"I'm unhappy with the result but it's better to be wounded than dead," Kek said.

"This defeat leaves us chances to qualify for the finals. The last minutes tonight proved we still have spirit to win. I'm confident that at home we will have luck on our side."

Greece and Ukraine played out a 0-0 stalemate at Athens Olympic Stadium watched by 50,000 spectators with Greek striker Giorgos Samaras and Ukraine's Taras Mikhalik wasting second-half chances.

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel tried to take positives from the lacklustre match.

"When you can't win, the best result is not to let them score and this is what we did. The result also gives us chances in the second leg," he said.

Ukraine coach Alexei Mikhailichenko refused to accept that his team were favourites to reach a second successive World Cup finals.

"The chances to qualify are equal for both teams. I don't know if we need to change our tactics. We will view the video of the match and then decide what needs to be done."

A header by Bruno Alves gave Portugal a 1-0 win over Bosnia in their World Cup play-off first leg on yesterday but the home team missed a host of chances.

Portugal dominated the first half-hour, with Nani exploiting space on the right wing to give Emir Spahic a torrid time.

The hosts took a deserved lead after 31 minutes when Nani crossed for Alves to head in unchallenged at the far post.

Qualified teams

Africa: Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, South Africa (hosts).

Asia: Australia, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand.

Europe: Denmark, England, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland.

N. America: Honduras, USA, Mexico.

South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay.