France: Gorgelin; Corchia, Stambouli, Mangala,
Makonda; Guilavogui, Pajot (Varane 70'); Saivet, Griezmann (Sylla 87'), Gueye
(Cabella 59'); Rivière. 4-2-3-1.
Spain: Diego
Mariño (Joel 46'); Mario Gaspar, Marc Bartra, Ayala, Nacho; Nacho
Camacho (Illarrarramendi 46'), Recio (Rodri 59'); Fran Mérida (Dani
Pacheco 46'), Canales, Juan Carlos; Álvaro Vázquez (Iago
Falqué 74'). 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 10. Rivière. Picked up Saivet pass and
ran past Marc Bartra to beat Mariño.
2-0. 17. Rivière.
Following up after Mérida failed to clear shot from Guilavogui.
3-0.
35. Gueye. Got ahead of defence to head Saivet cross down past keeper.
3-1.
37. Fran Mérida. Lobbed shot back over Gorgelin after defence failed to
clear.
3-2. 60. Rodri. Poked ball in to net after keeper failed to stop
lofted Canales pass.
Spain's new under 21 side put up a brave fight against France in this friendly game, but in the end they were unable to overcome the odds and ended up losing by a single goal. Defensive mistakes by Luis Milla's side allowed their hosts to go three up with just over half an hour gone, Rivière's strength helping him to the first two and Gueye heading the third from Saivet's cross. Captain Fran Mérida got one back a couple of minutes later with a lob over the keeper after Alvaro had been tackled, but before the half time whistle Spain were down to ten men when Juan Carlos picked up a rigorous red card for a late tackle on an opponent. A quarter of an hour in to the second half Rodri scored a second for the visitors less than a minute after coming on as substitute, poking a shot in to the empty net after keeper Gorgolin allowed a high pass from Canales to bounce through his hands. But although Illarramendi tested the keeper later on, Griezmann's France held on for another win against the block of players they beat in the under 19 European finals last summer.