¡¡  HANOVER, June 27 (Xinhua) -- France, who struggled to survive World Cup Group G, rallied to beat Spain, who topped Group H with three easy wins, 3-1 here on Tuesday night to advance to the quarterfinals to face five-time champions Brazil.

    France coach Raymond Domenech said: "It was a remarkable match in every way. It was very tough for the players. We may have a team of old men but we know how to be patient."

    "Younger people run out of breath. There's something exceptional waiting for us, unique emotions.

    In the breath-taking knockout duel, forward David Villa scored a goal from the penalty spot in the 28th minute to lift Spain to a1-0 lead.

    The penalty kick came from Spain's defender Pablo who was fouled from behind by French defender Lilian Thuram.

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    As most Spain's fans believed that the match would go smoothly in favor of Spain, France had their equalizer in the 41st minute when midfielder Frank Ribery ran a one-two with Patrick Vieira, who sprang Ribery free behind the defense.

    Ribery rounded the goalkeeper Iker Casillas and finished into the net with two Spainish defenders sliding desperately to try to save.

    Casillas was unable to contain his frustration at Spain's exit.

    "We were so close. It was undeserved, an undeserved defeat," said Casillas.

    "But that's football, we're heading home and there's nothing we can do about it."

    The turning point came on 83 minutes when France world-class playmaker Zinedine Zidane sent in a free kick which was deflected by Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso. But it set up perfectly for Vieira at the back post and his powerful header hit Spain defender Sergio Ramos' leg and flew into the net.

    Spanish coach Luis Aragones was unhappy over the free kick awarded to France.

    Referee Roberto Rosetti blew for a foul when French forward Thierry Henry went down after a tackle by Spain defender Carles Puyol.

    Aragones said: "Their second goal came from a free kick that wasn't a foul and we were punished by a refereeing error."

    He added: "Football is unjust sometimes, but not always. Francewere very tough opponents."

    Zidane, 34, who is playing for his last World Cup, sealed the win in injury time by steering an accurate low blast home in the box after dancing past Spain defender Carlos Puyol.

    "As for Zidane, he kept going for the whole match. In the last minute, he stuck to it. He still accelerated," said Domenech.

    France, who were humiliated in the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup with an early exit without a single goal, played brilliant football tonight to stun the world.

    Spain coach Luis Aragones said after the match that his players made more errors in today's game than their previous matches.

    "We played well only in the first half," he said.

    Aragones made confusing substitutions in the second half which led to Spain's failure.

    After the 1-1 in the first half, Aragones sent forward Luis Carcia and midfielder Joaquin into the game to replace Forwards Raul and Villa who were not in their best form. It meant that the Spaniards would strengthen their attacks to search a win.

    But then, the coach fielded the defensive midfielder Marcos Senna to replace the real playmaker Xavi. Nobody, maybe including the players, knew if the coach was eager to attack or defend.

    The Spaniards learnt the lesson later and were sent packing.

    The defeat was the first Spain had suffered under Aragones in 25 games since he took charge after Euro 2004.

    Aragones had set the strategy of ball control in the France game but it seemed to be not enough for a win. The Spaniards really enjoyed a 61 percent ball possession in the duel but finally they were the losers.

    Aragones said on Monday, "My bags are still unpacked and I've even left my shaving kit in the bathroom in Kamen (Spain's World Cup base)."

    France's victory not only extends Zidance's World Cup journey, but also means Brazil will face their nemesis Zidane again, the player who scored twice against them in the 1998 World Cup final.

    Brazil eased past African debutants Ghana 3-0 in the last 16 on Tuesday afternoon. Enditem