Spain secure crucial World Cup qualifying win over France

After being held to a draw by lowly Finland last week, Spain needed to make sure of a win in Paris tonight to have a chance of auomatic qualification for the final stage of the competition.

Iniesta, Xavi, Benzema and Ribery all missed golden opportunities in the early stages of the game, then tempers rose on the pitch as Spain were denied a clear penalty, when Pedro was caught by Lloris in the French goal after taking the ball around the Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper.

Xabi Alonso was instrumental in bringing Spain back into the game, orchestrating attack after attack, all of which were thwarted in the first half by an organised French defence.

Pedro (pictured) finally got his goal early in the second half, after just managing to scrape the ball home from Nacho Monreal’s cross.

The Barcelona forward then had a chance to double Spain’s lead and his own tally from eight yards after substitute Jesus Navas’ pullback, but his shot sailed over the bar. 

France pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages, but their task was made all the harder when Pogba was sent off for two dangerous challenges in the space of 60 seconds, and Spain held on for a crucial win.