France kicked off their campaign of friendlies with a 1-0 win over Spain.
The home side dominated for the majority of 90 minutes with Karim Benzema having the best of chances in the first period. The striker had the ball in the net early in the second-half but it was ruled out for offside, their pressure finally paid off when sub Loic Remy scored late on. Spain had some late pressure but France did enough and were deserving of their victory.
The first real opportunity of the match fell to Benzema, the Real Madrid striker looked to hit it across David De Gea to the far post but the keeper was equal to it and got down well to collect. It took just before the half hour mark before Spain had their first real opportunity, Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas had plenty of space and time to hit a long range effort which took a deflection taking it just over Hugo Lloris’ crossbar.
Spain were beginning to gain some dominance in the game with Fabregas making an excellent run into the penalty area but it proved a step to far for the Spaniard with Patrice Evra clearing it away. The last opportunity of the half fell once again to Benzema, he hit a curling effort from the edge of the area but it proved no trouble for De Gea.
The home side came straight out of the traps in the second half with Raphael Varrane heading over from the corner, it was only two minutes later that Benzema had the ball in the net but the flag was up on the far side. Paul Pogba played it out to Moussa Sissoko on the right-hand side who played it across the box to the striker who finished it with class but was judged to be offside but it did look that the Madrid player was level with the ball.
France continued to apply the pressure with Blaise Matuidi doing well to hold up the ball in the area before squaring it to Mathieu Valbuena but he dragged it wide of the post. Eighteen minutes before the end France finally took the lead, Valbuena unselfishly squared it to Remy who was waiting beside the penalty spot and the new Chelsea striker curled it just inside the right post which De Gea could do nothing about.
Spain were never really in the game and seemed to be missing the creativity of the recently retired Xavi and Xabi Alonso, they did create some chances late on when substitute David Silva created some space for himself in the area but his effort was just beyond the post.
Right at the death Silva was through again but a brilliantly time tackle from Mathieu Debuchy prevented the opportunity, from this France went on the counter-attack with the ball eventually coming to Benzema who cut back inside onto the edge of the six-yard box but De Gea did well once again to beat the shot away.
This was a big victory for the French which will help the development of their young squad and in preparation for Euro 2016, but it was clear which side was just beginning their cycle and which one was come to the end of a successful one.