Giroud header rewards France efforts

An injury-time goal from substitute Olivier Giroud earned France a 1-1 draw with world and European champions Spain, whose coach Vicente del Bosque's run of 20 successive qualification victories ended as a result.

La Roja had appeared on their way to a third straight win in Group I thanks to Sergio Ramos's seventh international goal in the first half and might even have doubled their lead through Cesc Fàbregas's 42nd-minute penalty which Hugo Lloris saved. With the visitors posing a greater threat after the restart, however, France earned an equaliser in the closing stages with Giroud heading home.

Bidding to bounce back from their friendly defeat by Japan on Friday, Dider Deschamps' men sought to contain and counter at the Estadio Vicente Calderón yet found themselves behind in the 25th minute. Xavi Hernández's corner was nodded against the outside of the upright by Sergio Ramos yet the centre-back remained alert to smash Pedro Rodríguez's subsequent cutback high into the net.

Karim Benzema attempted to bring France level shortly afterwards, only to see his low drive towards the far post saved by his Real Madrid CF club-mate Iker Casillas.

Spain had beaten Les Bleus 2-0 en route to winning UEFA EURO 2012 and were presented with an excellent opportunity to post the same scoreline when Laurent Koscielny downed Pedro inside the area. Fàbregas's spot kick was superbly repelled by Lloris, however, with the keeper making further stops from Fàbregas and Pedro to keep France in contention. 

France looked more dangerous after half-time and went close to equalising when Franck Ribéry's blast from the left was tipped wide by Casillas. Benzema – who later limped off injured – then stole in behind the Spanish defence on the left before seeing his cross-shot fizz wide of Casillas's upright.

If a huge roar went up when Fernando Torres entered to make his first appearance at the Calderón since leaving Club Atlético de Madrid in 2007, those cheers died down after Juanfran's slip allowed Moussa Sissoko to find Ribéry whose centre was met by Giroud's angled header.