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Spain national football team
World Cup | Qualifiers
Oct 16, 2012 at 8pm UK
 
France national football team

1-1

Spain defender Jordi Alba surprised by French resolve to claim a 1-1 draw

Jordi Alba surprised by French resolve
© PA Photos
Spain defender Jordi Alba admits that his team could not match the desire of their French opponents after conceding a late equaliser in a high-profile World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night.

Jordi Alba has admitted that Spain were overpowered by a determined France in the closing stages of their World Cup qualifier.

Spain led in Madrid for more than an hour thanks to an opening goal from Sergio Ramos but were pegged back by an injury-time equaliser from Olivier Giroud.

Barcelona full-back Alba told reporters that Spain could not match the work-rate of their French opponents at the most crucial point of the game.

Alba said: "During the second period France were very strong, although I do not know whether it was down to fatigue.

"We controlled the first half, we missed and penalty and that was all very expensive.

"But nothing has been decided, there are more rivals we can make things difficult for."

Spain and France remain level at the top of Group A in the quest to secure a World Cup place, three points clear of nearest challengers Georgia.

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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Netherlands Netherlands32107
Q Senegal flag Senegal32016
3 Ecuador flag Ecuador31114
4 Qatar Qatar30030

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England32107
Q United States USA31205
3 Iran Iran31023
4 Wales flag Wales30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Argentina Argentina32016
Q Poland Poland31114
3 Mexico Mexico31114
4 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia31023

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q France France32016
Q Australia Australia32016
3 Tunisia Tunisia31114
4 Denmark Denmark30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Japan Japan32016
Q Spain Spain31114
3 Germany Germany31114
4 Costa Rica flag Costa Rica31023

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q Croatia Croatia31205
3 Belgium Belgium31114
4 Canada Canada30030

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Brazil Brazil32016
Q Switzerland Switzerland32016
3 Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Serbia Serbia30121

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Republic of Korea South Korea31114
3 Uruguay flag Uruguay31114
4 Ghana flag Ghana31023


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