David Villa scores Spain's opener against England in a friendly in February 2009.

Comment about "Higuain gem gives Argentina win as Spain outplay France" Phone Name Comment 0 Football - International friendlies Higuain gem gives Argentina win as Spain outplay France Debutant Cossu impresses for Italy, England win 3-1 Germany goalkeeper Rene Adler catches the ball during the friendly against Argentina, yesterday.

Yes, last week's mid-week international matches were merely exhibitions - "friendlies" in soccer slang - but the results did little to lessen the feeling that Spain and Brazil are overwhelming favourites for the World Cup in South Africa.

SPAIN gave further proof of why they are one of the favourites for World Cup glory this summer after seeing off France 2-0 in Paris last night to continue their run of form.

Coach Few inheritances have been more golden than the one Vincent del Bosque received from Luis Aragones after Euro 2008.

France Stage Of Elimination. Click here to bet. Click here to follow us on Twitter! Click here for our special Transfer Centre! Click here for more football headlines! France captain Thierry Henry has shrugged off the boos he received on Wednesday night - and insisted his side can still be World Cup challengers.

Barclays Premier League. Click here to bet. Click here to follow us on Twitter! Click here for our special Transfer Centre! Click here for more football headlines! Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina is the best in the Barclays Premier League, according to manager Rafael Benitez, which is why he is delighted the Spaniard has agreed to a contract ...

MADRID: Spain will be going all out to avenge their defeat at the hands of France in the last World Cup when the two sides meet in a friendly today, Liverpool's Spanish striker Fernando Torres said on Monday.

World Cup. Click here to bet. Click here to follow us on Twitter! Click here for our special Transfer Centre! Click here for more football headlines! Raymond Domenech has defended his France side after they slumped to another disappointing result on Wednesday night, losing 2-0 at home to Spain.

Diego Armando Maradona, headcoach of Argentina's national soccer team, catches a ball during a friendly match between Germany and Argentina in Munich, Wednesday, March 3, 2010.

Read a full match report of the international friendly between France and Spain at the Stade de France, Paris on Wednesday March 3, 2010.

Spain captain Iker Casillas insists his side will be "humble" and "prudent" heading into this summer's World Cup despite being one of the favourites to win the tournament.

Following an unconvincing qualifying campaign for the World Cup, injury-plagued France has few hopes of victory before taking on European champion Spain in a friendly at Stade de France on Wednesday.

Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images Fernando Torres is keen for as much international playing time as possible despite the Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez 's concerns over the striker, who has recently returned from a lengthy lay-off after knee surgery.

The leading World Cup contenders begin flexing their muscles this week, a little more than 100 days before the big kickoff in South Africa, while some are hit by unexpected problems or unable to shake off long lasting ones.