Losing in extra-time in a playoff second leg, with a place at the 2010 World Cup on the line, would have been heart-breaking enough.
But the agony for the Republic of Ireland players, management and supporters will be intensified today by the fact that France's winning goal should never have been awarded.
Handballs do not get much more blatant than Thierry Henry's to set up William Gallas' winner yet referee Martin Hansson, of Sweden, and his assistant failed to spot the incident.
Giovanni Trapattoni's side are asking for a rematch but such a request is unlikely to be granted, handing the French a reward they scarcely deserved on the night.
While Henry was making the headlines in Paris, another former Premier League player was preparing for his big moment. David Beckham and the LA Galaxy have reached the MLS Cup final on Sunday, where they will face Real Salt Lake in Seattle.
Beckham's time in LA has not exactly gone according to plan and, with his loan spell at AC Milan finalised, his future in the MLS is rather unclear. Therefore, this could be the England international's last chance to leave a positive impression in American soccer.
Like Henry, you can expect Beckham to take his opportunity with both hands.
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