Spain against France

FRANCE SUB: Henry is replaced by his old Arsenal team-mate Wiltord.

Ribery is shown a yellow card, for what, I'm not sure.

Spain have never beaten France in a competitive international; they are going to have to throw players forward now if they are to reverse that and stay in the World Cup.

GOOD DEFENSIVE HEADER! Wonderful wing-play from Joaquin as he gets in to the area before chipping a cross to the back post; Sagnol makes an important defensive header.

France have an unlikely lead through Vieira; can Spain recover, or will France hold on?

GOAL! Vieira heads in from close range as Zidane's free-kick finds its way to him at the back post.

Puyol is shown a yellow card for a block on Henry; the contact was with his chest, but Henry goes to ground holding his face. It is embarrassing to see such blatant cheating.

JUST OVER! Great control from Ribery; he finds Govou on the edge of the area, but his first-time shot flies over the bar.

Gallas is back in the field, holding his injured area, and grimacing.

Gallas is stretchered from the field after taking a blow in the... delicates.

SIDE-NETTING! Joaquin makes a chance for himself as he cuts in from the right, but his left-foot shot is the wrong side of the post.

...It's a dangerous corner, but Barthez punches clear from under his own crossbar.

Alonso fires in a dipping, curling free-kick; Thuram heads out for a corner...

Spain have had more of the ball than their opponents, but have only occasionally threatened the France goal.

Just 15 minutes remaining, and a goal looks unlikely, to tell the truth; the game is so stop-start, neither side has been able to mount any concerted pressure.

FRANCE SUB: Govou comes on to replace Malouda; a like-for-like change from France.

Torres is caught by a stray arm from Vieira as the France midfielder ran away from him. Another stoppage, another break in play.

...but Senna's first touch is to head clear under pressure.

A France free-kick is curled in to the penalty area...

SPAIN SUB: Senna comes on to replace Xavi; the Villarreal midfielder comes on to try and inspire Spain in the final twenty minutes.

There is plenty of pushing and probing, but we haven't had a clear-cut chance for either side since the break.

Henry is caught off-side, again - this time as he tried to get on a nice angled pass from Vieira on the edge of the area.

GOOD CROSS! Pernia's drilled cross is met by Garcia, who's header is deflected wide for a corner.

Sorry; I spoke too soon: Vieira becomes the first player booked as he clips the heels of Fabregas in midfield.

No yellow card as yet; this is something of a peculiarity.

There is some good defending going on out there at the moment; runs are being tracked, tackles are being made. It is very tight.

Henry just can't pick out Zidane's run in to the penalty area; cool defending from Puyol, who allows the ball to run through to his keeper.

France seem a lot more focussed and together in this match than they have in all their others at this tournament; there looks to be a real team spirit and determination about them tonight.

Zidane's corner is whipped in to the near post, but, like at every other France corner tonight, the referee blows for a foul on Castillas.

There is, of course, a long way to go, but this is looking a very tight match; we might be set for extra-time in Hannover.

GOOD DEFENDING! Joaquin's cross in to the area is well defended by Sagnol, who had Garcia and Torres around him for company.

CHANCE! Ribery gets to the by-line and fires over a low cross, but he can't find a free France player in a crowded six-yard box.

More niggly free-kicks halt the flow of the game; it hasn't really got started since the break.

The average age of the Spain side is 24 and a half; in contrast, the average age of the France side is 29 and a half - who is going to triumph: youth or experience?

Spain will have a lot more width with Garcia and Joaquin on the field; they will be trying to get in behind the full-backs and get some crosses in to Torres.

France win a free-kick, and send their big men forward from the back; Abidal swings it in to the middle, but Castillas is fouled as he claimed the high ball.

Joaquin will give Spain width down the right; he had a fantastic game against Saudi Arabia in their final group game.

Castillas has taken the captain's armband from the departed Raul; not a happy birthday for the Real Madrid striker; he looked very static and off-the-pace.

SPAIN SUBS: Villa is replaced by Joaquin, Luis Garcia comes on to replace Raul; interesting changes by Aragones.

GOOD EFFORT, FINE SAVE! Zidane clips a pass over the defensive line to Malouda; he flicks a shot goalwards, but Castillas leaps to his right and tips away.

Raul has got to be more mobile in the second half; he is sitting too central, and Makelele has got him in his pocket at the moment.

OPTIMISTIC! Fabregas fires in a volley from the edge of the area, but he scuffs it well wide.

Henry and Ribery try and link up down the France right, but they don't really appear to be on the same wavelength.

Puyol is just caught a little late by Henry; there's no love lost between those two, after their battle in the Champions League final in Paris a couple of months ago.

Of course, both coaches have plenty of options on the bench, should they need a breakthrough; Joaquin could be a dangerous option for Spain, perhaps Trezeguet for France.

Henry is caught off-side again; he needs to start timing his runs better if France are to profit from this high defensive line from Spain.

No changes from either side at the break, so both coaches must be happy with their sides' shape.

If those last five minutes of the first half are a taste of what's to come in the second, we should be in for an excellent second half, folks.

France kick off the second half.

HALF-TIME: France's late equaliser should set up a thrilling second half.

The tempo has really picked up as we approach the break; the game has suddenly come to life.

TORRES! GREAT RUN! Torres brilliantly breaks down the left, beats a couple of challenges and cuts in to the area; he goes to ground, but the referee tells him to get up.

Ribery isn't renowned for his composure in front of goal, but he took that really well.

GOAL! Ribery breaks the off-side trap with a well-timed run from out wide, rounds the goalkeeper and slots in to the net.

It has been a close half, and Spain can probably count themselves lucky to be ahead. France need to find a way to get in to the midfield battle.

Henry is caught off-side again as he tries to sprint on a pass from deep; Spain's defensive line has been immaculate so far.

...but it is too long, and Castillas collects.

France win a free-kick as Vieira goes to ground. Zidane curls it in to the middle...

Alonso is having a good half, sitting in front of his centre-backs and spreading the play with his intelligent passing.

Makelele brings down Torres in midfield with a cynical block; no bookings yet, which is surprising given the way this tournament has gone.

Ribery has got some wonderful close control and dribbling skills; he is out-numbered three-to-one in a midfield tussle, but somehow he still keeps the ball.

These two teams have never met in the World Cup, but for some in Spain, the game is bringing back bad memories of the Paris final of the European Championships in 1984, when Spain's goalkeeper Arconada allowed Platini's free-kick to squirm beneath his body to hand the title to the hosts.

The referee isn't helping the flow of the game by stopping play for a series of minor indiscretions.

Sagnol surges forward from right-back, in to space left by Pernia, who was feigning injury in the France half.

Henry is caught narrowly off-side; Spain have got to be careful here, because they're not going to catch Henry if he springs the trap and gets away.

Xavi sends the corner in to the near post, but Zidane heads clear.

Spain win another corner as Thuram is forced to put behind under pressure from Torres...

Spain catch Malouda off-side as they push out when Makelele tries to pick out his wide-man with lofted pass.

The prize these two teams are playing for is a quarter-final against Brazil, who mis-fired a little in an earlier 3-0 victory over Ghana.

The Spanish fans go wild as Villa puts them in the lead. France have got it all to do now.

GOAL! Villa tucks his penalty inside the post, narrowly beating the dive of Barthez, who might have just got a fingertip on it.

David Villa starts his run-up...

PENALTY! Ibanez, forward for the corner kick, is pushed in the back by Thuram, and the referee awards the spot-kick! Replays show it was probably the correct decision.

Pernia sends the corner in to the near post, but it is well defended by Ribery.

Spain win a corner when Torres' shot is deflected behind.

GOOD TAKE! Sagnol sends over a dangerous cross from the right, but Castillas claims inside his six-yard box.

That was the best chance of the game so far; Henry did well to put in such a tempting low cross, but Vieira really should have gambled more and stuck it home.

GREAT CHANCE! Henry sends a teasing pass across the face of goal, but neither Vieira or Ribery can turn it home.

Henry steals the ball in midfield but takes on a little too much and Pernia tackles.

France win a throw-in, right down near the corner-flag; Abidal finds Malouda, but his touch towards Henry is too heavy.

Spain are playing quite a high line at the back, trying to squeeze play up the field; if Henry can start timing his runs, he could get some joy in behind the defence.

Vieira hasn't had much influence on the game as yet; he is being passed around by Xavi, Fabregas and Alonso, who are purring in the Spanish midfield.

It is Puyol's 50th cap tonight; he had another magnificent season at the back for his club, Barcelona.

Puyol goes down after stretching to ensure that a pass didn't find Henry, its intended target. He seems to have strained his thigh slightly, but plays on.

Spain have got three beautiful, elegant passers of the ball in their midfield, in Fabregas, Xavi and Alonso.

GOOD BLOCK! Ribery gets down the right and tries to pick out Henry at the back post; his cross is cut out but it falls to Zidane; only Pernia's block prevents a shot on goal.

Raul almost threads a pass through to Torres, but he gets a little too much on the ball and Barthez collects.

Spain appear very patient in their build-up; they aren't playing the ball forward unless they are sure they can find a colleague.

Zidane is unfortunate to be ruled off-side as he tried to get on the end of Sagnol's quickly taken free-kick.

Spain won all three of their group games and had the best goal difference of any team that did so; in effect, they were the best team in the group stages. France, meanwhile, came way down the list in 13th place in the Group League Table.

DECENT EFFORT! Henry cuts in from his favoured position on the left, beating Ramos before firing in a low shot; Castillas claims at his near post.

It has been a low-key start to the game; neither side has been able to get a grip of the key midfield area.

Zidane may be playing in his final-ever game tonight; he has already retired from club football, and said he will bow out of the game after France have finished in this tournament.

UNLUCKY! Torres does really well to beat Sagnol for speed as he breaks down the left channel, but his cross to the back post evades all his team-mates.

OOH! The first attempt on goal comes from Pernia, who curls the free-kick a yard or so over the crossbar. Good effort.

Villa is caught by Thuram as the two fought for a high ball; free-kick to Spain, in a very presentable position...

Castillas comes through a crowd and punches Zidane's corner clear at the near post; the referee awards the keeper a free-kick.

Spain have got a very attacking line-up, with a genuine 4-3-3 formation; for France, Henry ploughs a lone furrow up front after Trezeguet's axing from the side.

Oddly, the decision to award a corner has been reversed; the official has now ruled that Henry handled as he and Ramos tussled for that bouncing ball.

NERVY! Ibanzez completely mis-judges a long ball forward from the back; Henry tries to steal in around the back, but Ramos has come across to clear up. Corner to France.

There are a few club-clashes tonight; Real Madrid's Zidane v Raul and Ramos; Arsenal's Henry v Fabregas.

Ribery, who has made a bright start down the right, tries to cut in but is stopped by a strong challenge by Pernia.

France have brought back the Great Monk of Marseille, Zinedine Zidane, for tonight's game; he was suspended for their final group game against Tunisia.

Barthez takes his time over a clearance, allowing Raul to close him down; the eccentric French keeper clears just in time.

Both nations are very well supported in the AWD-Arena in Hannover; it really is a riot of colour in the stands tonight as thousands of French and Spanish fans have made the short trip over to neighbours Germany.

Spain kick off in Hannover.

Hullo, welcome to our coverage of Spain's second round clash against France.

Torres is caught by a stray arm from Vieira as the France midfielder ran away from him. Another stoppage, another break in play.

...but Senna's first touch is to head clear under pressure.

A France free-kick is curled in to the penalty area...

SPAIN SUB: Senna comes on to replace Xavi; the Villarreal midfielder comes on to try and inspire Spain in the final twenty minutes.

There is plenty of pushing and probing, but we haven't had a clear-cut chance for either side since the break.

Henry is caught off-side, again - this time as he tried to get on a nice angled pass from Vieira on the edge of the area.

GOOD CROSS! Pernia's drilled cross is met by Garcia, who's header is deflected wide for a corner.

Sorry; I spoke too soon: Vieira becomes the first player booked as he clips the heels of Fabregas in midfield.

No yellow card as yet; this is something of a peculiarity.

There is some good defending going on out there at the moment; runs are being tracked, tackles are being made. It is very tight.

Henry just can't pick out Zidane's run in to the penalty area; cool defending from Puyol, who allows the ball to run through to his keeper.

France seem a lot more focussed and together in this match than they have in all their others at this tournament; there looks to be a real team spirit and determination about them tonight.

Zidane's corner is whipped in to the near post, but, like at every other France corner tonight, the referee blows for a foul on Castillas.

There is, of course, a long way to go, but this is looking a very tight match; we might be set for extra-time in Hannover.

GOOD DEFENDING! Joaquin's cross in to the area is well defended by Sagnol, who had Garcia and Torres around him for company.

CHANCE! Ribery gets to the by-line and fires over a low cross, but he can't find a free France player in a crowded six-yard box.

More niggly free-kicks halt the flow of the game; it hasn't really got started since the break.

The average age of the Spain side is 24 and a half; in contrast, the average age of the France side is 29 and a half - who is going to triumph: youth or experience?

Spain will have a lot more width with Garcia and Joaquin on the field; they will be trying to get in behind the full-backs and get some crosses in to Torres.

France win a free-kick, and send their big men forward from the back; Abidal swings it in to the middle, but Castillas is fouled as he claimed the high ball.

Joaquin will give Spain width down the right; he had a fantastic game against Saudi Arabia in their final group game.

Castillas has taken the captain's armband from the departed Raul; not a happy birthday for the Real Madrid striker; he looked very static and off-the-pace.

SPAIN SUBS: Villa is replaced by Joaquin, Luis Garcia comes on to replace Raul; interesting changes by Aragones.

GOOD EFFORT, FINE SAVE! Zidane clips a pass over the defensive line to Malouda; he flicks a shot goalwards, but Castillas leaps to his right and tips away.

Raul has got to be more mobile in the second half; he is sitting too central, and Makelele has got him in his pocket at the moment.

OPTIMISTIC! Fabregas fires in a volley from the edge of the area, but he scuffs it well wide.

Henry and Ribery try and link up down the France right, but they don't really appear to be on the same wavelength.

Puyol is just caught a little late by Henry; there's no love lost between those two, after their battle in the Champions League final in Paris a couple of months ago.

Of course, both coaches have plenty of options on the bench, should they need a breakthrough; Joaquin could be a dangerous option for Spain, perhaps Trezeguet for France.

Henry is caught off-side again; he needs to start timing his runs better if France are to profit from this high defensive line from Spain.

No changes from either side at the break, so both coaches must be happy with their sides' shape.

If those last five minutes of the first half are a taste of what's to come in the second, we should be in for an excellent second half, folks.

France kick off the second half.

HALF-TIME: France's late equaliser should set up a thrilling second half.

The tempo has really picked up as we approach the break; the game has suddenly come to life.

TORRES! GREAT RUN! Torres brilliantly breaks down the left, beats a couple of challenges and cuts in to the area; he goes to ground, but the referee tells him to get up.

Ribery isn't renowned for his composure in front of goal, but he took that really well.

GOAL! Ribery breaks the off-side trap with a well-timed run from out wide, rounds the goalkeeper and slots in to the net.

It has been a close half, and Spain can probably count themselves lucky to be ahead. France need to find a way to get in to the midfield battle.

Henry is caught off-side again as he tries to sprint on a pass from deep; Spain's defensive line has been immaculate so far.

...but it is too long, and Castillas collects.

France win a free-kick as Vieira goes to ground. Zidane curls it in to the middle...

Alonso is having a good half, sitting in front of his centre-backs and spreading the play with his intelligent passing.

Makelele brings down Torres in midfield with a cynical block; no bookings yet, which is surprising given the way this tournament has gone.

Ribery has got some wonderful close control and dribbling skills; he is out-numbered three-to-one in a midfield tussle, but somehow he still keeps the ball.

These two teams have never met in the World Cup, but for some in Spain, the game is bringing back bad memories of the Paris final of the European Championships in 1984, when Spain's goalkeeper Arconada allowed Platini's free-kick to squirm beneath his body to hand the title to the hosts.

The referee isn't helping the flow of the game by stopping play for a series of minor indiscretions.

Sagnol surges forward from right-back, in to space left by Pernia, who was feigning injury in the France half.

Henry is caught narrowly off-side; Spain have got to be careful here, because they're not going to catch Henry if he springs the trap and gets away.

Xavi sends the corner in to the near post, but Zidane heads clear.

Spain win another corner as Thuram is forced to put behind under pressure from Torres...

Spain catch Malouda off-side as they push out when Makelele tries to pick out his wide-man with lofted pass.

The prize these two teams are playing for is a quarter-final against Brazil, who mis-fired a little in an earlier 3-0 victory over Ghana.

The Spanish fans go wild as Villa puts them in the lead. France have got it all to do now.

GOAL! Villa tucks his penalty inside the post, narrowly beating the dive of Barthez, who might have just got a fingertip on it.

David Villa starts his run-up...

PENALTY! Ibanez, forward for the corner kick, is pushed in the back by Thuram, and the referee awards the spot-kick! Replays show it was probably the correct decision.

Pernia sends the corner in to the near post, but it is well defended by Ribery.

Spain win a corner when Torres' shot is deflected behind.

GOOD TAKE! Sagnol sends over a dangerous cross from the right, but Castillas claims inside his six-yard box.

That was the best chance of the game so far; Henry did well to put in such a tempting low cross, but Vieira really should have gambled more and stuck it home.

GREAT CHANCE! Henry sends a teasing pass across the face of goal, but neither Vieira or Ribery can turn it home.

Henry steals the ball in midfield but takes on a little too much and Pernia tackles.

France win a throw-in, right down near the corner-flag; Abidal finds Malouda, but his touch towards Henry is too heavy.

Spain are playing quite a high line at the back, trying to squeeze play up the field; if Henry can start timing his runs, he could get some joy in behind the defence.

Vieira hasn't had much influence on the game as yet; he is being passed around by Xavi, Fabregas and Alonso, who are purring in the Spanish midfield.

It is Puyol's 50th cap tonight; he had another magnificent season at the back for his club, Barcelona.

Puyol goes down after stretching to ensure that a pass didn't find Henry, its intended target. He seems to have strained his thigh slightly, but plays on.

Spain have got three beautiful, elegant passers of the ball in their midfield, in Fabregas, Xavi and Alonso.

GOOD BLOCK! Ribery gets down the right and tries to pick out Henry at the back post; his cross is cut out but it falls to Zidane; only Pernia's block prevents a shot on goal.

Raul almost threads a pass through to Torres, but he gets a little too much on the ball and Barthez collects.

Spain appear very patient in their build-up; they aren't playing the ball forward unless they are sure they can find a colleague.

Zidane is unfortunate to be ruled off-side as he tried to get on the end of Sagnol's quickly taken free-kick.

Spain won all three of their group games and had the best goal difference of any team that did so; in effect, they were the best team in the group stages. France, meanwhile, came way down the list in 13th place in the Group League Table.

DECENT EFFORT! Henry cuts in from his favoured position on the left, beating Ramos before firing in a low shot; Castillas claims at his near post.

It has been a low-key start to the game; neither side has been able to get a grip of the key midfield area.

Zidane may be playing in his final-ever game tonight; he has already retired from club football, and said he will bow out of the game after France have finished in this tournament.

UNLUCKY! Torres does really well to beat Sagnol for speed as he breaks down the left channel, but his cross to the back post evades all his team-mates.

OOH! The first attempt on goal comes from Pernia, who curls the free-kick a yard or so over the crossbar. Good effort.

Villa is caught by Thuram as the two fought for a high ball; free-kick to Spain, in a very presentable position...

Castillas comes through a crowd and punches Zidane's corner clear at the near post; the referee awards the keeper a free-kick.

Spain have got a very attacking line-up, with a genuine 4-3-3 formation; for France, Henry ploughs a lone furrow up front after Trezeguet's axing from the side.

Oddly, the decision to award a corner has been reversed; the official has now ruled that Henry handled as he and Ramos tussled for that bouncing ball.

NERVY! Ibanzez completely mis-judges a long ball forward from the back; Henry tries to steal in around the back, but Ramos has come across to clear up. Corner to France.

There are a few club-clashes tonight; Real Madrid's Zidane v Raul and Ramos; Arsenal's Henry v Fabregas.

Ribery, who has made a bright start down the right, tries to cut in but is stopped by a strong challenge by Pernia.

France have brought back the Great Monk of Marseille, Zinedine Zidane, for tonight's game; he was suspended for their final group game against Tunisia.

Barthez takes his time over a clearance, allowing Raul to close him down; the eccentric French keeper clears just in time.

Both nations are very well supported in the AWD-Arena in Hannover; it really is a riot of colour in the stands tonight as thousands of French and Spanish fans have made the short trip over to neighbours Germany.

Spain kick off in Hannover.

Hullo, welcome to our coverage of Spain's second round clash against France.