France's William Gallas (L) reacts with Alou Diarra after goal against Ireland in their World Cup qualifying playoff return leg match at the Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis near Paris November 18, 2009.[Xinhua/Reuters Photo]

France striker Thierry Henry admits he used his hand to help nail the equalizer in his team's 1-1 draw with Ireland in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.

With Ireland leading 1-0 and the match was in the first period of extra time, Henry twice handled the ball, stopping it going out of play, then controlling it before setting up Gallas for a header, according to AP report.

After the match, Henry admitted that it was a handball.

"I will be honest, it was a handball. But I'm not the ref," he was quoted.

After winning 1-0 in Dublin on Saturday, France won 2-1 on aggregate, and will play in its fourth straight World Cup.

Ireland failed to qualify, as in 2006.