International football friendly: France vs Brazil
France hosted Brazil at the Stade de France in a clash of two titans of the world of football on Wednesday.
There were a few changes in both the squads. France partnered Jérémy Menez with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Laurent-Koscielny-c21742 was on the bench, hoping to make his first appearance for the country.
Brazil also picked http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michel-Bastos-c25461 were overlooked in the game.
The match kicked off with the first chance of the game falling in Benzema’s feet in the ninth minute. The forward was played on by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Yoann-Gourcuff-c37416 from 30 yards out. The striker’s effort fizzed just beyond the post.
In the 36th minute, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alou-Diarra-c5259 was the quickest player to react, but his first-time effort spun over the bar and went behind for a goal kick.
Brazil had their first real opportunity in the 36th minute, when a Thiago Silva cross managed to evade everyone and reach Robinho. The ball was then struck by the forward, but his shot sailed well over the bar.
In the 40th minute, Hernanes went in high and late on Benzema with a tackle and the referee had handed the player a straight red.
The second-half picked up with France still looking the more threatening side and in the 49th minute, it seemed like they would finally get the breakthrough. Malouda crossed a ball towards Benzema, who chested the ball right in front of the goal and just
when he was about to connect on the volley, he was blocked by a brilliant challenge by Thiago Silva.
Nonetheless, six minutes later, the striker made no mistake and scored the opening goal of the game. Menez made a brilliant dash down the right flank, before lifting the ball into the box. The ball fell perfectly for Benzema, who slotted it into the back
of the net from some two yards out in the 54th minute.
After the opening goal, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Brazil-c2858 seemed incapable of handling the pressure of being one man down.
In the 78th minute, Brazil bounced back to show they were still in the game. Andre Santos got down the flank, after leaving http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bacary-Sagna-c7148 for dead and then squared the ball across the face of the French goal. Had someone reached the box on time, the chance
would have levelled the score for the night.
In the 88th minute, France started to look a bit shaky and after a lapse in the defence, Hulk was played on. The forward then took a pop at the goal, but his effort sailed well over the bar and France retained their lead.
The match eventually ended with France holding on to their one-goal lead.
The line-ups for the night were:
France: Lloris, Abidal, Sagna, Rami, Mexes, Gourcuff, Diarra, M'Vila, Malouda, Benzema, Menez.
Subs: Carrasso, Cabaye, Remy, Hoarau, Gameiro, Sakho, Diaby, Matuidi, Clichy, Koscielny, Mandanda
Brazil: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robinho-c31382, Pato
Subs: Gomes, Da Silva, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Breno-c8038, Neto
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