Giroud strikes late to earn France a richly deserved reward

Spain 1 France 1Yesterday's World Cup qualifier between Poland and England was postponed until today due to a waterlogged pitch after the roof of Warsaws national stadium was left open.

The decision was taken to rearrange the game for this afternoon following a pitch inspection last night after an evening of torrential rain.

Meanwhile, England players and officials were attacked by their Serbian opponents and racially abused by home fans moments after a 1-0 win in Krusevac in a European Under-21 playoff.

They were pelted by missiles as they celebrated their winning goal scored by Connor Wickham. The trouble quickly escalated when Serbias players started attacking their England counterparts.

Danny Rose was shown a red card for kicking the ball into the crowd after the final whistle.

OLIVIER GIROUD’S header deep into stoppage time salvaged a deserved draw for France against the world champions in Madrid and ended the hosts’ run of 24 consecutive qualifying victories.

Sergio Ramos had fired home after his initial effort had come off the post in the 26th minute to give Spain the lead but they were left to rue Cesc Fabregas’s missed penalty just before half-time as the visitors took control of the game after the break.

Karim Benzema and Moussa Sissoko looked to have squandered France’s best chances to claim a point as they missed clear openings late on but with the last attack of the game Franck Ribery crossed for Giroud to head low into the far corner. The draw means that both sides remain locked together at the top of Group One with seven points from three games.

Santi Cazorla had the first effort on goal after a slow start but his low drive was easily held by Hugo Lloris. But France conceded a sloppy goal from a set-piece midway through the half.

Xavi’s corner found Ramos completely unmarked just six yards from goal and after his initial header came back off the post, the defender fired high into the net when Pedro pulled it back across the area.

The goal forced France forward and they nearly equalised 10 minutes later when Benzema tested Real Madrid team-mate Iker Casillas. But the visitors were then thankful to Lloris to only be 1-0 down at the break. The Spurs goalkeeper first produced a fine save t to parry Fabregas’ penalty after Laurent Koscielny had fouled Pedro inside the area and three minutes later the French skipper saved his side again as he denied fierce efforts from Pedro and Fabregas. The latter and Xavi then had chances to seal the points but both were denied by last-ditch French defending.

France continued to threaten though and from with his only real involvement in the game, substitute Giroud delicately directed Ribery’s pinpoint cross into the net.

SPAIN: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Arbeloa (Juanfran 51), Jordi Alba, Iniesta (Torres 75), Xavi, Fabregas, Alonso, Busquets, Silva (Cazorla 13), Pedro. Subs not used: Valdes, Albiol, Monreal, Javi Martinez, Villa, Benat, Soldado, Jesus Navas, Reina. Booked: Juanfran.

FRANCE: Lloris, Koscielny, Debuchy, Evra, Sakho, Valbuena, Cabaye, Gonalons (Matuidi 57), Ribery, Benzema (Giroud 87), Menez (Sissoko 68). Subs not used: Landreau, Rami, Jallet, Gomis, Capoue, Clichy, Mandanda. Booked: Koscielny, Gonalons.

Referee: F Brych (Germany).