Threw it away: France will now face holders Spain in Donetsk on Saturday night

It was a stunning goal and gave France the punishment they deserved for a wretched  performance following a 23-game unbeaten run. It is unlikely they can recover in time for their meeting with the defending champions this weekend.

Those who saw them play so well to beat Ukraine last Friday would have fancied Blanc’s team to roll Sweden over. Maybe it was the oppressive heat in the Olympic Stadium or because two of the players who had played so well in Donetsk weren’t on the pitch. Winger Jeremy Menez was rested because he was on a yellow card and Yohan Cabaye was injured.

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