Spain and France drawing 1-1 at halftime

HANOVER (Reuters) – France and Spain were drawing 1-1 at
halftime in the World Cup second round on Tuesday after
Frenchman Franck Ribery canceled out a David Villa penalty.

Villa beat France keeper Fabien Barthez with a perfectly
taken spot kick in the 28th minute after defender Lilian Thuram
had brought down Spain center back Pablo Ibanez in the area.

Ribery equalized in the 41st minute, racing on to a Patrick
Vieira pass and rounding keeper Iker Casillas to score.

France had spurned an opportunity when first Ribery and
then Vieira failed to connect after Thierry Henry had squared
the ball across the face of the goal midway through the half.

The winners will play Brazil in the quarter-finals.

(Writing by Simon Baskett)