France 0-2 Spain
After a goalless first half, this friendly between two greats came to life, partly thanks to the trial of video refereeing.
The ball was in the net three times in the second half and the use of technology overturned two crucial decisions which gave Spain a deserved win. Football games can benefit from technology on this evidence, but it does make for uneasy delays and palpitations for online betting fans.
On the pitch, Spain bossed much of the early exchanges; and the outstanding Andres Iniesta came close when he tricked his way into the box on 13 minutes, but his effort curled just wide. Isco was in lively form as Laurent Koscielny was kept busy in the France defence, but the latter did well enough to protect keeper Hugo Lloris until 27 minutes when the goalkeeper saved smartly from Iniesta. Isco tested Lloris again with a shot from distance as the last effort of the first half.
The French immediately looked livelier after Didier Deschamps brought on Bakayoko at the break, and Antoine Griezmann smashed home on 48 minutes; only to be denied by the video assistant referee who ruled the striker marginally offside.
There was little or no doubt shortly after though when Bakayoko made a sloppy back pass and the overworked Koscielny fouled Gerard Deulofeu in the box on 68 minutes. David Silva stroked home the spot-kick to put Spain ahead.
Then the video official came to the fore again after Deulofeu finished a fine Spain move only for a linesman’s flag to halt the celebrations. With his earpiece buzzing the ref eventually gave the goal.
So like it or lump it. It seems video technology is getting closer, and Spain rightly won this game 2-0. Without the technology, it would have been a draw.
Food for thought.
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