Superb Spain sink France

Villa: On target

Related links

Teams

• France
• Spain

Also see

• Sky Sports experts
• Fantasy Football
• Sky Sports Twitter
• £20 Free Bet

David Villa and Sergio Ramos were on target for Spain as they served further notice of their World Cup intent with victory over France in Paris.

The Euro 2008 winners claimed their first away victory over France since 1968 to extend their recent record to 42 victories in their last 45 fixtures.

Their only defeat in that astonishing run came against the United States at last summer's Confederations Cup.

There was little to separate the two European giants in the early stages, but Spain soon started to stamp their authority on the contest.

The visitors created the first opportunity of the match in the 18th minute when Sergio Busquets' downward header from Xabi Alonso's free-kick went just wide, while poor control from Villa soon after saw another promising opening go to waste.

Villa would get a second chance 60 seconds later though, and this time he was not so profligate.

Andres Iniesta's attempted pass to David Silva was missed by the Valencia man but, having also beaten Julien Escude, it ended up being perfect for Villa, who raced onto the ball and coolly finished past Hugo Lloris.

That was Villa's 36th goal in his just 55th match for Spain, and edged him ever-closer to Raul's national record of 44 goals, which were made in 102 appearances.

Spain were looking good value for their lead as the first half progressed, with Vicente Del Bosque's men stroking the ball around well and keeping their hosts' all-star attack at bay.

Strengthened

And the Iberian nation furthered strengthened their position right on the stroke of half-time when they doubled their lead.

France looked to have cleared the danger from one Spain attack, but Yoann Gourcuff was caught in possession by Alonso 30 yards out, and the Real Madrid man chipped the ball out to club-mate Ramos on the right side of the area.

The right-back then cut inside before unleashing a left-footed shot that took a significant deflection off Escude before nestling in the far side of the net.

Under-pressure France coach Raymond Domenech would have been far from happy with the situation at half-time, especially with jeers raining down from the stands at the Stade de France pitch as teams left the pitch.

However, he would have been pleased with the reaction of his side after the break as Les Bleus finally gave Iker Casillas something to think about.

The Spain captain, who joined Real Madrid team-mate Raul on 102 caps, with only former goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta (126) in front of them, had a quiet first half but he was called into action to save from Nicolas Anelka and Thierry Henry, albeit with both shots being straight at him.

France struggled to build on that promising start to the half and neither side were able to get the upper hand for the next half-hour, although Spain substitute Fernando Torres brought a flying save out of Lloris.

The home side came agonisingly close to pulling a goal back in the 79th minute, however, when Djibril Cisse's cross from the right was headed against the post by his fellow replacement Florent Malouda with Casillas struggling.

Jesus Navas had a late chance to add a third for Spain after Patrice Evra had missed the ball, but the Sevilla winger pulled his shot wide of the far post as the game finished 2-0 to the visitors.