MALAGA - Joan Capdevila struck a late winner as Spain edged past France in a closely-fought friendly in Malaga on Wednesday night.
Villarreal full-back Capdevila scored with 10 minutes remaining as Spain gained a measure of revenge for their 2006 World Cup exit at the hands of France, who beat Luis Aragones' side 3-1 in the last 16 en route to reaching the final.
There was nothing to separate the two European superpowers for much of Wednesday's contest, with neither side creating much in terms of chances during a goalless first period.
France had the first two efforts of the match, with Barcelona striker Thierry Henry trying his luck from near the halfway line without success and Nicolas Anelka pulling a shot wide from inside the area.
A section of La Rosaleda stadium crowd thought Spain had taken the lead in the 12th minute when Xavi made the French net ripple with a curling free-kick, but the Barca man's effort had only found the side-netting.
Spain suffered a blow after 23 minutes when Liverpool striker Fernando Torres limped out of the action after suffering what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
Aragones was unable to make 17-year-old Bojan Krkic the youngest full international in Spanish history at that stage as the Barcelona forward had been a late fitness withdrawal before the match, with Daniel Guiza replacing Torres up front instead.
A minute after Torres' departure, France created the best chance of the first half.
A right-wing cross into the area from Jeremy Toulalan found its way through to Anelka and the Chelsea striker's left-footed volley was superbly palmed away by the diving Iker Casillas.
Spain enjoyed the better start to the second half with Cesc Fabregas firing an awkward shot over before half-time substitute David Villa struck the woodwork.
Fabregas was brought down just outside the box by Lassana Diarra and from the resulting free-kick Villa curled a low shot against outside of Gregory Coupet's left-hand post.
At the other end, France replacement Karim Benzema had a left-footed shot from edge of the box comfortably saved by Casillas, before visiting defender Julien Escude saw his glancing header from a corner cleared off the line by Andres Iniesta.
Just as the game looked to be drifting towards a goalless stalemate, Spain made the breakthrough thanks to Capdevila.
Iniesta picked up a short corner from Barcelona team-mate Xavi on the left, cut inside Benzema before unleashing a shot that looked to be arrowing inside the far post with the diving Coupet beaten.
Diarra managed to get his head on the ball to prevent Iniesta's shot going in, but his clearance fell kindly to Capdevila six yards out and he took one touch before ramming the ball into an unguarded for his second goal in his 15th international.
That proved to be the match-winner, although France can consider themselves unlucky not to have salvaged a draw after twice going close in the final few minutes.
First highly-rated young Lyon striker Benzema saw his header thump against the Spain crossbar, before in injury-time Henry broke in behind the home defence only to be denied by the onrushing Casillas.
Spain rode their luck but they might have netted a late second when Guiza got clear only to be denied by a fine save by Coupet.
