National Team Friendly

National Stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Rico Mendez kicked off to start the match. Alexandre Job made an important save on a dangerous shot by Rico Mendez in the 4th minute. The supporters of U21 Spain booed when U21 France was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 7 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ange Melet didn't get a good kick on the ball. Alexandre Job made a fantastic save in the 8th minute, when Rico Mendez sent off a good shot on target. In the 16th minute Joris Chomat shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Micael Bernal saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 18 minutes had been played when some careless play by U21 France's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Diego Vidal was slow to take the kick. During this time U21 Spain's players had a chance to rest. Noé Garate hit a great freekick 25 minutes into the match. Ariel Donnet struck a weak shot in the 29th minute. Alexandre Job didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for U21 Spain. Micael Bernal showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Thierry Henry, who was totally free with the ball in the 32nd minute. 33 minutes into the match, U21 France's goal looked a bit too open when Rico Mendez came free, but Alexandre Job reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 40th minute, U21 Spain's Rico Mendez ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Alexandre Job. Alexandre Job yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-0. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 1-0.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Thierry Henry was the one to do the kick off. Rico Mendez scored 2-0 in the 58th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Alexandre Job, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. In the 64th minute the ball was on its way in behind U21 Spain's goalkeeper Micael Bernal, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. In the 66th minute, Joris Chomat made a precise shot to the right of Micael Bernal. U21 Spain's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 2-1. U21 Spain's Jerrald Sancho was substituted for Ariel Donnet. U21 France's Ahmed Brasseur was substituted for Dylan Fougères. U21 Spain's Alfronso Quintas was substituted for Rico Mendez. Jacinto Torrent received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 74th minute. Alexandre Job tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After some careless play in the U21 France defense, Alfronso Quintas kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Alexandre Job. The U21 France fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Alexandre Job should have stopped the shot. U21 France's Alexandre Job played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Alfronso Quintas in the 82nd minute of play. When U21 France's Thierry Henry in the 86th minute got a chance for a shot 86th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye U21 Spain's goalie prevented a goal. Alfronso Quintas received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 88th minute. Alexandre Job tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After a defensive mix-up in U21 France's zone, Alfronso Quintas stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Alexandre Job came out of the goal and Alfronso Quintas tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. For all the effort they put into the match, the U21 France players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for U21 Spain.