Spain v France - liveblogging

21:49 - The full-time whistle has just gone to send France through to the quarter-finals where they face Brazil.

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21:48 - Zinedine Zidane springs the offside trap after Spain were harried off the ball, calmly rounding Puyol before smashing past his former colleague Casillas to ice the game. Spain 1 FRANCE 3.

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21:46 - Three minutes of injury time are to be added on as Spain launch a last ditch bid to force extra time.

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21:43 - Wiltord comes on for Henry as France look to wind down the clock. Spain do not look as though they have it in them to equalise at this late stage.

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21:39 - Vieira has put France ahead! As it was looking like extra time, Zidane floated a free-kick over to the back post and an unmarked Vieira headed past Casillas to put France one foot in the next round. Spain 1 FRANCE 2.

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21:31 - France make their first change of the night with rumoured City target Sidney Govou replacing Malouda. The introduction should see Ribery switch to the left.

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21:28 - Marcos Senna replaces Xavi in midfield for Spain. Xavi had some nice touches early on but has not offered his side anything of note during the second-half.

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21:25 - The first yellow card of the night for Patrick Vieira for a trip on Fabregas. The tempo has eased a little now with both sides almost feeling each other out, poised for the final 15-20 minutes of the game. Hopefully the game won't peter out as we head into the final quarter.

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21:17 - A lively few minutes with Ribery showing glimpses of his potential with a great run down the right, only for Spain to hit back and see Sagnol make a good clearance with Garcia ready to pounce. France have opened well this half and the goal has clearly galvanised them. Spain are a little on the back foot at the moment.

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21:12 - An early change for Spain with Raul and Villa withdrawn, being replaced by Luis Garcia and Joaquin. A slightly less attacking formation I think with Torres alone up front with support from the two substitutes. It could be a sign that both sides will look to attack from the flanks.

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21:09 - France start the brighter side in the opening few minutes with Ribery lively down the right and Malouda going close attempting to lob Casillas, but the ball wouldn't quite drop down for him.

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21:04 - The second-half is underway. For Spain, they have played well throughout the first-half and their midfield is dominating but perhaps need more from Raul alongside Torres and Villa. For France, their midfield has failed to exert any control over the game and need to get more support for Henry - who is struggling against the Spanish offside trap.

I fancy that the next goal may well win this contest.

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20:45 - The half-time whistle has gone and Ribery's goal puts a different complexion on this game and it sets up a great second-half. Half-time Spain 1 France 1.

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20:41 - Franck Ribery has equalised for France. Completely out of the blue France won the ball and broke with Ribery, who played a one-two with Vieira and broke the offside trap to round Casillas to slot home. Spain 1 FRANCE 1.

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20:38 - Zidane aims a frustrated kick out at Alonso after a challenge on him. He is struggling to have the impact on the game that he once would have and this could well be his farewell to the game tonight. Has he got anything left in him?

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20:32 - Spain are playing a tight off-side trap tonight and have caught Henry a couple of times. This could be where France profit if Zidane and Henry can link up together.

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20:27 - Spain are awarded a penalty. There was slight contact from Thuram but Ibanez went down very easily and again a refereeing decision takes centre stage....David Villa gives Barthez no chance with a fine strike. SPAIN 1 France 0.

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20:23 - France miss a great opportunity. A clever ball from Zidane set Henry free on the right and his ball into the six yard box was missed by both Ribery and Vieira.

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20:20 - Spain look extremely comfortable knocking the ball patiently around midfield, with Vieira and Makele struggling to make an impact on the game. The Spanish are showing far more energy.

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20:15 - Interesting to see how France have lined up with Ribery out on the right-hand side tonight, with the recalled Zidane playing almost as a second striker behind Henry. He has been quiet so far though.

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20:10 - A good few minutes for Spain. Pernia goes close with a free-kick from 25 yards and Torres flashes a ball across goal from the left. Both he and Villa look capable of causing problems.

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20:05 - Torres looks bright in attack for Spain early but no real chances for ether side early on.

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20:00 - At kick off, the full line-ups are:

Spain: Casillas, Pablo, Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Pernia, Fabregas, Xavi, Alonso, Villa, Torres, Raul. Subs: Salgado, Marchena, Albelda, Reyes, Luis Garcia, Antonio Lopez, Iniesta, Senna, Joaquin, Canizares, Juanito, Reina.

France: Barthez, Sagnol, Thuram, Gallas, Abidal, Ribery, Zidane, Makelele, Vieira, Malouda, Henry. Subs: Landreau, Boumsong, Dhorasoo, Govou, Wiltord, Silvestre, Saha, Givet, Diarra, Trezeguet, Chimbonda, Coupet.

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As promised, I will be posting 'live' throughout the game tonight. It promises to be an intriguing encounter with Spain impressive so far in the tournament and France stuttering through to round two.

This is their first ever clash in the World Cup, but interestingly Spain have never beaten France in a competitive match.

Team wise, Zidane is back in the French line-up replacing Trezeguet, whilst Spain feature three up front (Torres, Raul and Villa) and Fabregas starts in midfield. The average age of the French side is 29.5 whilst the Spanish side is only 24.5.