France vs Spain LIVE Commentary

90′ +3

That's it! What a fine display from Spain! The French crowd aren't pleased; their players are booed off by the large home support, but they up against a side who oozed class.

90′ +3

That's it from me tonight. Make sure you check out Goal.com's extensive analysis and reaction from this and all tonight's other friendlies. Until next time, take care.

90′ +2

NAVAS! One last chance for Spain. A long ball from Casillas is missed, leaving Navas to home in on goal from a tight angle on the right. His shot is drive wide. At the other end, Malouda tries to create a late chance for the home side, but Busquets works back brilliantly to clear a dangerous square pass.

90′

In the first of two stoppage time minutes, Evra tries to play a deft pass through for Malouda, but the ball is too hard and goes out for a goal kick.

90′

We're into the last minute of normal time but both teams continue to push on. No sign of a third goal in this game though.

89′

... What a waste. After all that, the ball doesn't even reach the box before the whistle goes. Pique fouled Ciani.

88′

Free kick to Spain in a dangerous area on the edge of the box. Malouda is deemed to have fouled Torres, who was cutting in from the right. Xavi is standing purposefully over this...

87′

Les Bleus are starting to commit players forward, leaving themselves open to Spanish counters. These are typically being led by Navas, who has been positive and direct. Guiza wins a corner off Escude at the culmination of one such move.

85′

Oh... Delicious ball from Malouda, who picked out Ciani in the box. The Bordeaux centre-back showed the touch of the defender as he tried to control what was in fairness a very awkward ball, and Spain are let off the hook.

84′

Navas has looked good since he came on. After teasing Toulalan, he whipped in a decent cross that was knocked clear by Escude. The winger regained possession but after a couple of rapid turns dribbled out of play.

83′

Again the home crowd show their discontent, with a rising chorus of whistles as Gourcuff's angled pass to Cisse is too hard and bounces hopelessly out of play.

81′

Guiza comes on for David Silva, who's been the quietest of the Spanish forwards this evening.

81′

Substitution

David Silva

Dani Güiza

80′

POST!!! Les Bleus hit the post through Malouda. Cisse gathers the ball on the right and centres for the Chelsea left-sider, who gets away from Ramos with surprising ease. His header is firm and beats Casillas but not the post.

78′

Anelka grimaces on the bench, but France are starting to heat up on the park. Gourcuff tried a 30-yard shot that is held easily by Casillas before crossing for Cisse, who heads well over the top. The crowd chant, "Cisse! Cisse!" - it's clear who their favourite is!

77′

Off goes the ineffective Anelka and on comes Djibril Cisse, who's been banging them in for Panathinaikos in Greece. He receives a terrific cheers, trying his luck within seconds of arriving on the park. His shot was from a tough angle at a fair distance out and flies over.

76′

There's a simmering discontent about the Stade de France at the moment. Spain are strutting impressively and France have little response.

75′

Substitution

Nicolas Anelka

Djibril Cissé

75′

Another wonderful counter from Spain, instigated by Navas. The move ends with Xavi trying an audacious backheel in the box, but Silva didn't read his intentions and the chance is gone.

74′

Silva loses a battle with Toulalan in the centre of the park, and the Valencia attacker has a kick out in frustration. France take the chance to make a change, with Ribery going off and Malouda coming on.

73′

Silva tried to threat a pass through the eye of an especially small needle to Torres. Though the ball gets through, it's too hard and too straight, allowing Lloris to clear up the danger.

72′

Some incision from France through the middle. It came from Govou, who stepped in from the right wing. He is fouled, but the free kick is swiftly wasted. French frustration continues.

72′

Substitution

Franck Ribéry

Florent Malouda

70′

Gourcuff is lively at the moment, but Arbeloa blocks his cross from the right, which goes out for a throw.

69′

Good counterattack chance for France, led by Gourcuff. Anelka's move into the right channel is the pass the Bordeaux man picks, but 'Nico's' ambitious first time shot flies well over. Perhaps a driven centre would have been a better option.

68′

Ribery fizzes a flat free kick into the box, but Casillas clutches it comfortably. His quick kick sees Navas pitted in a foot race against Diarra. As the Spaniard heads for the box there's a little nudge on him from the Real Madrid man. No penalty says referee Thomson, who awards the corner.

66′

The French crowd have begun to 'Ole!' each Spanish pass, probably out of frustration of their own team's efforts as much as admiration of the Spaniards.

65′

A long throw causes Spain some brief panic. A loose ball in their box drops to Govou, who decided to cross from a tight angle rather than shoot. His high effort is too long...

63′

Iniesta goes off to fine applause from the French fans, and on comes Jesus Navas. Senna comes on for midfielder metronome Alonso, while Raymond Domenech makes his first switch, Govou replacing Henry, who is whistled! That's a little like John Terry being booed by the England fans at Wembley.

63′

Substitution

Thierry Henry

Sidney Govou

63′

Substitution

Xabi Alonso

Marcos Senna

63′

Substitution

Andrés Iniesta Luján

Jesús Navas González

62′

Alonso pings out a great switched pass to Xavi, who quickly changes the angle with a diagonal through ball designed to find Torres. Ciani gets the ball clear on the stretch.

61′

Jesus Navas is preparing to enter the field for the final half hour. Meanwhile, Ramos' pass picks out Torres, whose first time effort from the edge of the box is cradled comfortably by Lloris. Good play all round.

59′

Spain's ability to keep the ball under pressure really is marvellous. Toulalan looks to have Busquets all tied up, but the Barca man somehow evades him. The move doesn't come to anything, but it's nice moments like this that make la Roja so watchable.

58′

France have enjoyed a greater percentage of possession than they did in the latter stages of the first period, but they've been unable to do anything with it. Spain look comfortable for the most part.

56′

Spain happy to control possession in the centre of the park for the time being. Iniesta is sandwiched by a couple of Frenchman and wins a free kick. He's been very active this evening, but you'd expect that of such a class player.

54′

Evra is blocked by the all-action Ramos as he tries to break down the left. The Real Madrid defender is booked for a pretty clear foul - it's not his first tonight either. The free kick is again defended superbly by Spain.

54′

Yellow Card Sergio Ramos

53′

Henry...! Oh... a half opening for France, but no more than that. An angled ball in from the right is missed by the leaping Anelka, but the Barcelona man tries to bring it under control with his heel. Though he pulls the bouncing ball in front of him, Casillas is out to grasp the ball.

52′

Great skill from Ribery to get away from Arbeloa, though Iniesta is back to cover. Ribery crumbles to the ground and looks to the referee for sympathy. He gets none - and probably justly so.

51′

Gourcuff short with a pass out to Sagna as France tried to construct a promising break. It's not quite happening for les Bleus at the moment. On their next attack, Sagna can get the ball, but his cross is held well by Casillas.

49′

Torres roasts Ciani down the right channel. He nearly got away from the Bordeaux man, who has to resort to fouling the Liverpool man on the edge of the box. Xavi's free kick is aimed for Pique, but a French head manages to clear.

48′

A rare real opening for France! Gourcuff, who's obviously back on the field, instigated the swift counter, playing a forward pass to Anelka, who cut in from the left and shot right footed at Casillas' midriff.

48′

Pique heads Ribery's flat free kick clear. The Barcelona man has largely enjoyed a good game so far.

47′

Meaty challenge from Ramos on Gourcuff, who looks like he's struggling with a problem to the back of his knee. Worry for France and worry for Bordeaux. The subs are out warming up and the creative midfielder is being carted off the field on a stretcher for treatment.

46′

France get the second half started. Puyol, Fabregas and Villa have all gone off for Spain, by the way.

Substitution

Carles Puyol

Raúl Albiol Tortajada

Substitution

Cesc Fàbregas

Xavi

We'll see Fernando Torres, Xavi and Raul Albiol all coming onto the field for Spain. I'm trying to glance around and see who's not arrived for the second half...

Substitution

David Villa

Fernando Torres

We're just about ready for the second half at the Stade de France. The teams are slowly funnelling out onto the park.

45′ +2

And with that action, the first half ends. It's been very watchable, and it's hard to deny Spain deserve their lead. France have shown enough to suggest there's still life in this game though. Can La Furia Roja hold on? Find out in 15 minutes...

45′ +1

GOAL SPAIN!! SERGIO RAMOS!!! A succession of half chances for the Spaniards failed to result in a shot on goal, but France's defence was disrupted sufficiently so that when the ball was flicked back to Ramos far up the right wing, he was able to cut inside and shoot home via a meaty deflection from Escude!

45′

Goal Sergio Ramos

44′

Escude rises well to head away a dangerous through pass to Villa. In the broken play Iniesta picks up the ball and tries to beat Diarra. The diminutive Frenchman commits another foul, catching the Barcelona man on the knee. After a small break, play is resumed, with Spain once more playing the ball short and retaining the ball.

43′

Alonso wins a free kick from Lassana Diarra. Again Spain take it short and are happy to knock the ball about in the middle of the field.

42′

Ribery with a forceful run into the box, but his hopes of unleashing a shot are quickly thwarted by a visiting defender. Gourcuff's corner is too long, allowing Spain an easy chance to mop up the danger.

39′

Good defensive work by Silva, who tries to get something of his own going down the right. Toulalan denies him the chance, tacking back tenaciously and winning the ball cleanly with an exemplary tackle. Spain quickly shut down any prospect of a counter to their own counter.

38′

Evra does well to harry Ramos into an error deep in Spain's half, but he's unlucky as the Spaniard clears the ball against him and wins a throw. That's the way things are going for les Bleus at the moment - good, but not good enough.

37′

Casillas is again out to the edge of his box to slump down on a through ball under little pressure. Anelka's struggled to get a touch tonight, but the service to him hasn't been ideal.

35′

Fabregas is upset at something Evra's done. The pair square up as the former prepares to take a long throw, It's difficult to see what Cesc is unhappy about. Spain see off the danger comprehensively - that should calm him down a little.

34′

Henry takes Pique comprehensively for speed on the extreme left of the park, but just as the move begins to look promising for France, the ball trickles out.

33′

It must be said, Spain look capable of keeping the ball for minutes at a time if they so chose. Though France have generally tried to shut their space down, their guests have generally looked comfortable in possession.

32′

Brilliant pressing from the guests, who force Escude into evasive action in his own box, smacking the ball high into the stands. Spain continue to look the more threatening team, as they have done for the last 15 minutes. There's still not been a whole lot in the way of goalmouth action, despite Spain's lead.

31′

Iniesta wins a rare free kick for the close attention Sagna was showing him. Moments later Evra fouls David Silva, who's been very quiet thus far. La Furia Roja are content to play the ball short.

29′

Referee Craig Thomson, whose from Scotland, isn't afraid to let this game flow. Busquets seemed to back into Henry as his Barcelona team-mate rose for a header, but despite the Frenchman clattering to the ground awkwardly, play continues. Spain kick the ball out to allow the former Arsenal star to recover.

28′

Sagna continues to look a big threat down the right. He wins a corner on the right. That is cleared as far as Diarra, whose tame drive is held by Casillas, whose no doubt aware of the defensive midfielder's poor scoring record.

27′

Fabregas collapses on the edge of the France box seeking a free kick. At first glance it looked like he had a case. His frustration is not helped by Arbeloa clattering Toulalan moments later - that certainly was a foul!

25′

The France substitutes don't look too impressed... Djibril Cisse and Hatem Ben Arfa are amongst the names on the bench. Meanwhile, on the field France continue to press their technically excellent opponents.

24′

Oh... Fabregas tries to get Villa in behind ahead, but Lloris acts well as sweeper. Les Bleus are playing with fire here...

23′

Spain certainly deserve their lead at the moment. Though France had their moments, they've looked less incisive than their hosts.

20′

GOAL!!! It's 1-0 Spain!!! David Villa!!! What a well constructed effort! Iniesta's pass may have been directed towards Fabregas, but the Arsenal man can't quite reach it. However, Villa is running at a different angle to the Gunner, and with the defence flat-footed he runs through to finish in a typically calm manner.

20′

Goal David Villa

19′

A mistake from Ciani, his first of the match, nearly allows Villa in, but the striker's touch is too heavy. After France's spell of pressure, Spain are right back in this.

19′

Busquets!!! Oh... I thought that was in! Alonso's free kick picks out the Barcelona midfielder, whose textbook downward header brushes the side netting as it flashed wide of Lloris' goal.

18′

Free kick chance Spain, though it's definitely one to cross, 35 yards out and on the right touchline. Ramos won it, fouled by Gourcuff.

17′

Les Bleus are looking the better side at the moment. Henry tries a subtle through pass to Anelka, but Casillas reads the danger well and gathers easily at the edge of his box.

16′

First half chance of the night! France romp down the right hand side, with Sagna getting forward well. His cross is aimed towards Anelka but is cut out by Pique, who heads over his own bar. The corner is well defended by the Spanish, with Casillas ultimately trying to start a quick break with a sharp clearance.

14′

France are playing with a high line, and one mistake will see Villa unleashed through on goal. Les Bleus' rearguard has been excellent so far, but they must remain watchful.

13′

This has been a thoroughly watchable match so far, but Henry won't want to see that again, scuffing a cross tamely out of play without it ever threatening to find the box.

12′

Risky from Lloris! The goalkeeper gets in a bit of a muddle at the other end of the field and has to shield the ball out under pressure from Villa. It was a clever through pass from Iniesta that created the confusion.

11′

Nearly a mix-up between Pique and Casillas, but the Barcelona defender takes matters into his own hands and heads clear. It was the right thing to do.

10′

More encouragement for France. Again Spain are sloppy in the centre of the field. Ribery sprints to the right touchline, leaving Arbeloa in his wake. His cut-back only finds Sergio Ramos. The danger seems over, but the Real Madrid man tries to beat Toulalan, who starts another French attack, though this is far less menacing.

9′

Lassana Diarra picks the pocket of Real Madrid team-mate Alonso in the centre of the park, but his attempted through pass to Anelka is too straight and is easily mopped up by the visitors.

8′

Now it's France's turn to press well in midfield. Xabi Alonso tries to get something going, but the ball is worked back to Casillas, who clears.

7′

Reply from France! Sagna gets the ball forward to Gourcuff, whose clever touch takes him away from Puyol. The Bordeaux man seemed to have space to shoot at the edge of the box but instead tried a square pass to Anelka, which Ramos intercepted.

6′

Oh... best moment so far, and it's from Spain. Fabregas flicks a delicious ball over the top for Iniesta to chase, but Ciani, the only debutant on show, toes the ball away for a corner, which is subsequently wasted.

5′

Ribery pinches the ball in the middle of the park and set Gourcuff away down the right. There appears to be some danger for a moment, but Puyol is across to clear the problem up.

3′

Spain are pressing the game very high up and not allowing France any much easy possession. Still nothing in the way of an opening yet. Neither side has even had possession in their opponents' find third yet.

2′

Feisty... Ribery and Arbeloa have a brief eye-to-eye as the former feels he was tripped off the ball by the latter. Not exactly what Real Madrid fans want to see, but it's a bit of a non-incident!

1′

David Villa gets caught offside immediately as he tried to run onto a long Sergio Ramos pass down the right. Both sides are happy to keep easy possession in the early stages.

It's Spain to get us going tonight. They're rather confusingly playing in blue, France are showing off their new white change kits.

There will be a minute's silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the Chile earthquake before we get underway.

The team's are stripping out of their tracksuits after two fine renditions of the countries' respective anthems, and we're almost ready to go...

Here come the players... they're all looking rather relaxed in the tunnel, but France coach Raymond Domenech has billed this as the start of his side's World Cup campaign. It may be a friendly, but my word are the crowd loud. Just about time for the anthems...

There’s more certainty about Spain’s line-up: Casillas; Ramos, Puyol, Pique, Arbeloa; Silva, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Busquets, Iniesta; Villa.

There are about 10 minutes to kick off, so here are the teams. France: Lloris; Sagna, Escude, Boumsong, Evra; Ribery, Lassana Diarra, Toulalan, Gourcuff; Henry, Anelka. This could be either a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1, with Henry on the left and Ribery going to the right.

Bonjour mes amis and hola amigos! Welcome to Goal.com’s live coverage of France – Spain. It’s a chilly Parisian night, but both sets of players will be eager to warm their fans with a bright performance ahead of the summer’s World Cup.

Player		Goals	Penalties
	Didier Drogba Striker Ivory Coast	1	0
	Ricardo Clark Midfielder USA	1	0
	Carlos Amoldo Salcido Defender Mexico	1	0
	Rafael Márquez Lugo Striker Mexico	1	0
	Salomon Kalou Striker Ivory Coast	1	0

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