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France national football team
International Friendlies
Mar 26, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
Brazil national football team

1-3

Varane (21')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Oscar (40'), Neymar (57'), Gustavo (69')

France succumb to defeat against clinical Brazil

France succumb to a humiliating 3-1 defeat at the hands of a spirited Brazil side in Thursday evening's friendly at the Stade de France.

France have succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of a clinical Brazil side in this evening's international friendly at the Stade de France.

Brazil's midfielder Luiz Gustavo is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal during the friendly football match France vs Brazil, on March 26, 2015© Getty Images

The first concrete chance of the game fell to the hosts as Karim Benzema pounced on a cross to nod goalwards from inside the six-yard box, but goalkeeper Jefferson was able to palm the ball away from harm.

Brazil then enjoyed a lively spell as Neymar was able to burst clean through on goal following a mislaid Morgan Schneiderlin pass, only for Steve Mandanda to push the resulting effort away.

France were able to counter-attack and power down at the other end where they won a corner, with the resulting set piece from Mathieu Valbuena falling to Varane, who rose highest to head home.

Les Bleus continued to push forward following the opener and saw Blaise Matuidi's angled shot from 18 yards hit a yellow shirt and spin out for another corner, but this was snuffed out.

Dunga's charges slowly picked themselves up and forced a save from Mandanda on the half-hour mark, courtesy of Firmino's drive from distance.

Raphael Varane #4 of France celebrates with team mates after scoring the first goal of the game during the International Friendly match between France and Brazil at the Stade de France on March 26, 2015© Getty Images

Five minutes before the break the Selecao successfully struck back when Oscar latched on to Firmino's through-ball before slotting the ball through Mandanda's legs and into the net.

France set about trying to get back into the lead after the restart as Valbuena wasted a free kick in a good position by floating it over his teammates' heads and into Jefferson's hands.

In the 50th minute it was Brazil's turn to try their luck, Luis Gustavo blasting a fierce effort from outside the area which drew a smart save from Mandanda.

Neymar then put the five-time World Cup winners in the lead when he lashed a powerful rising shot into the net at the near post just before the hour.

Didier Deschamps's charges pushed forward after falling behind and saw a succession of chances come close. Moussa Sissoko's angled drive was smothered by Jefferson before Benzema slammed a volley over the crossbar.

Brazil's forward Neymar strikes on his way to score a goal during the friendly football match France vs Brazil, on March 26, 2015© Getty Images

Antoine Griezmann came close to pulling Les Bleus level in the 63rd minute when he wriggled into space, before arrowing a long-range drive just over.

The hosts were to rue their missed opportunities because Gustavo struck a decisive third for Brazil in the 69th minute, making the most of poor French marking to head home from a corner.

Nabil Fekir came close to grabbing a goal on his Bleus debut late on as he collected a Benzema pass on the edge of the box before sending a low effort into the far corner, but the ball flew inches wide of the post.

France were ultimately unable to muster a concrete response against the South American giants as Neymar and compatriots saw off the latter stages of the game with ease.

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Brazil's forward Oscar is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal during the friendly football match France vs Brazil, on March 26, 2015
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