The video referee made two decisive interventions as Spain beat France 2-0 at the Stade de France.
Spain dominated for large swathes of the first half while France threatened on the break but neither side was able to prise an opener before the interval, with the home side in particular sloppy when it came to their final pass.
However, France thought they had the lead just after the break when Antoine Griezmann headed home but referee Felix Zwayer called on assistance from his video assistant referee, who chalked the goal off as Layvin Kurzawa had been in an offside position. .
Spain then took the lead when David Silva dispatched a penalty with 68 minutes gone before Gerard Deulofeu added a second with a little under 15 minutes left in the match.
Deulofeu’s strike had originally been adjudged as offside but, when called upon, the video assistant referee once again amended the decision.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Sergio Busquets (Spain) – Few players truly stood-out in a game that lacked quality, with Gerard Deulofeu shining during his cameo as a substitute but the best player on the pitch was Sergio Busquets. For most of this season Busquets has looked a level below previous seasons but over the past few weeks he has started to pick up. This was the Busquets of old, picking up loose balls, intercepting passes and getting his team started on the counter-attack.
France’s forward Antoine Griezmann (L) vies with Spain’s midfielder Sergio Busquets during the friendly football match France vs Spain on March 28, 2017 at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, north of Paris.AFP
TALKING POINT
Video referees pass the test: The big talking point ahead of the game was how video referees would be used. The answer was efficiently and correctly. There were two big talking points and on both occasions the referee quickly consulted with the video assistant and the correct decision was reached. There was minimal disruption in the play and there can be few arguments against it being implemented in the near future.
PLAYER RATINGS
France – Lloris 6, Jallet 3, Koscielny 6, Umtiti 6, Kurzawa 4, Kante 5, Tolisso 5, Rabiot 5, Mbappe 6, Gameiro 5, Griezmann 5. Subs: Bakayoko 4, Lemar 5, Dembele 5, Giroud 5
Spain – De Gea 6, Carvajal 6, Pique 6, Ramos 5, Alba 6, Busquets 8, Koke 5, Iniesta 6, Pedro 6, Isco 7, Morata 5. Subs: Silva 7, Deulofeu 8, Thiago 5, Aspas 5, Herrera 5, Nacho 5.
KEY MOMENTS
11′ – OFF THE LINE! Koscielny rises high and gets a header towards the far corner but it’s cleared off the line but Pique who had read the danger well.
28′ – CHANCE! Another good chance for Spain as their patient build-up sees Iniesta get through against Lloris. The Spurs man makes a terrific stop to deny the Barcelona captain.
Spain’s midfielder Andres Iniesta (R) kicks the ball in front of France’s goalkeaper Hugo Lloris during the friendly football match France vs Spain on March 28, 2017 at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, north of Paris.AFP
48′ – GOAL! OH WAIT! Just like that we’ve got a goal! Or do we? It’s being referred to the video referee and as it turns out Kurzawa was offside as he headed the ball back to Griezmann. Well, well, well
68′ – PENALTY SPAIN! Immediately he’s in the action as he intercepts the ball and bursts into the box and is fouled by Koscielny. This doesn’t go to the video ref.
68′ – GOAL! FRANCE 0-1 SPAIN (SILVA) David Silva makes no mistake and scores his 30th goal for Spain. He’s fourth in Spain’s all-time top-scorers list in case you’re wondering. Behind David Villa, Raul and Fernando Torres. He has gone clear of Fernando Hierro.
77′ – GOAL! FRANCE 0-2 SPAIN (DEULOFEU) Deulofeu thinks he’s given Spain a two-goal lead following a glorious and indeed he has! The goal is ruled out for offside but the video referee overrules. Another excellent decision. That’s Deulofeu’s first goal for the Spanish national team.
Spain’s midfielder Gerard Deulofeu (R) is congratuled by teammates after scoring a goal during the friendly football match France vs Spain on March 28, 2017 at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, north of Paris. Spain won the match 0-2.AFP
KEY STATS
David Silva has been involved in more goals for Spain than any other player under Julen Lopetegui, with six goals and three assists.
Spain have won more games against France at the Stade de France than any other team.
Laurent Koscielny has conceded four penalties for France since his debut in 2011, at least double any other player in that period.
France’s defeat was their 250th in their history.
