Spain's World Cup campaign is back on track after they beat France 0-1 in Paris on Tuesday night! It was a close thing in the end though, Pedro's goal on the hour mark the only difference between the two sides. After the disappointing draw against Finland on Friday night, Del Bosque's team started the match two points behind their hosts in the table. However Xavi and Xabi Alonso were back after missing out on the last game, and with only five minutes on the clock Xavi put a good chance over the bar after Iniesta and Monreal combined to set him up.
France though were not going to be overawed by the triple champions, and before the break Benzema fired a shot just over the bar, and Ribéry brought a good save out of Valdés, substituting once again for the injured Casillas. Pedro tested Lloris at the other end, and then felt himself unlucky not to be awarded a penalty a few minutes later, and after the restart Iniesta got through only for the keeper to tip his shot over the bar.
With just under an hour on the clock however Monreal crossed in from the left wing, and although Lloris got a hand to Pedro's shot, he couldn't prevent the ball from entering the net. The Barcelona forward went close again soon afterwards, but after that almost all the action was in Spain's half, and although a frustrated Pogba got himself sent off after picking up two bookings in a minute, it took a couple of first class saves by Valdés from Matuidi and Evra to keep the visitors ahead. A vital win though, and after moving a point above Didier Deschamps' team in the table, Spain's fate is back in their own hands. (26.03.13)