France sink Spain 3-1 to reach Quarter-finals

Hanover: Late goals from Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane booked France a quarter-final tie with Brazil as they came from behind to beat Spain 3-1 in Hanover on Tuesday, 27 June 2006. A 28th minute penalty from David Villa had given Luis Aragones' side the lead, but Frank Ribery's equaliser four minutes before half-time restored parity for Les Bleus.

With the match heading for extra time, Vieira's header from a Zidane free-kick took a deflection off Sergio Ramos and ended up in the back of Iker Casillas' net. As Spain pushed for an equaliser, 'Zizou' took advantage of a misplaced pass from Cesc Fabregas, before turning past Carles Puyol and steering a shot beyond Iker Casillas.

France will now meet Brazil in Frankfurt in the quarter-finals on Saturday 1 July.

UNI

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