Pedro's second-half strike ensured Spain moved to the top of Group I after claiming a 1-0 victory at World Cup qualification rivals France, whose misery was compounded by Paul Pogba's red card.
The Tuesday night clash at the Stade de France offered the chance for both sides to stamp their authority on the group and it was world and European champions Spain who took advantage just before the hour.
France 0-1 Spain
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France's goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, center, cannot stop the ball as Spain's Pedro Rodriguez Ledesma, right, scores during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. Spain won 1-0. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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France's goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, center, lies one pitch after Spain's Pedro Rodriguez Ledesma, right, scores during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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France's goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, center, lies one pitch after Spain's Pedro Rodriguez Ledesma, right, scores during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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Spain's Sergio Busquets Burgos, left, reacts during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match against France at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. Spain won 1-0.(AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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France's Laurent Koscielny, right, challenges Spain's Jesus Nava during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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Spain's Sergio Ramos Garcia,left, Xavier Hernandez Creus, second left, and Ignacio Monreal, right, react after Spain defeated France 1-0 during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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Spain's Sergio Busquets Burgos, center, hugs teammate Xabier Alonso Olano, right, as France's Laurent Koscielny walks past after Spain defeated France 1-0 during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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Spain's Sergio Ramos Garcia,left, Xavier Hernandez Creus, second left, and Ignacio Monreal, right, react after Spain defeated France 1-0 during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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Spain's Xabier Alonso Olano, center, and teammates react after Spain defeated France 1-0 during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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France's Franck Ribery, right, congratulates Spanish goalkeeper, Victor Valdes Arribas, after their World Cup Group I qualifying soccer match at Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March, 26, 2013. Spain defeated France 1-0. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (credit:AP)
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Refeeree Viktor Kassai, right, shows the yellow card to France's Paul Pogba, left, during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match gains Spain at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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Spain's headcoach Vicente del Bosque gestures during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match against France at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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Spain's Pedro Rodriguez Ledesma reacts during his World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match againsr France at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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France's Franck Ribery, center, protects teammates Mathieu Valbuena, left, as Spain's Gerard Pique, right, heads the ball during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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French players reacts after Spain's Pedro Rodriguez Ledesma scored the opening goal (unseen) during their World Cup Group I qualifying soccer match at Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March, 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (credit:AP)
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France's goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, kneeling, reacts after Spain's Pedro, right, scored and is congratulayed by teammate Ignacio Monreal Eraso, center, during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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Spanish players celebrate after Perdro Rodriguez Ledesma scoredd the opening goal during their World Cup Group I qualifying soccer match against France at Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March, 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (credit:AP)
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France's goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, kneeling, reacts after Spain's Pedro, right, scored during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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France's Franck Ribery, right, races with Spain's Alvaro Arbeloa Coca, during their World Cup Group I qualifying soccer match at Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March, 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (credit:AP)
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France's goalkeeper Hugo Lloris watches the ball entering into the nets after Spain's Pedro scored during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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France's goalkeeper Hugo Lloris watches the ball entering into the nets after Spain's Pedro scored during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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France's Patrice Evra, right, challenges for the ball with Spain's David Villa Sanchez during their World Cup Group I qualifying soccer match at Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March, 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (credit:AP)
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France's Patrice Evra, right, challenges for the ball with Spain's David Villa Sanchez during their World Cup Group I qualifying soccer match at Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March, 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (credit:AP)
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Spain's Andres Inestia Lujan, right, challenges for the ball with France's Blaise Matuidi during their World Cup Group I qualifying soccer match at Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March, 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (credit:AP)
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France's Franck Ribery, right, reacts as Spanish goalkeeper Victor Valdes Arribas runs during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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France's Franck Ribery, left, escales Spain's Gerard Pique during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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France's Franck Ribery, left, faces Spanish goalkeeper Victor Valdes Arribas during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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France's Franck Ribery reacts as France plays Spain in a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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Spain's Xabier Alonso Olano dribbles France's Paul Pogba during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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Spain's Sergio Ramos Garcia jumps over France's Mathieu Valbuena, on the pitch, as Spain's Andres Iniesta Lujuan, background left, looks on during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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France's Karim Benzema, right, and Xabier Alonso Olano head for the ball during their World Cup Group I qualifying soccer match at Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March, 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (credit:AP)
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French coach Didier Deschamps, right, reacts while his Spanish counterpart, Vincente Del Bosque, looks on during their World Cup Group I qualifying soccer match at Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March, 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (credit:AP)
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France's Christophe Jallet, left, looks at teammate Yohan Cabaye running with the ball as Spain's Andres Iniesta Lujuan lies on the pitch during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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France's Franck Ribery, right, overruns Spain's Alvaro Arbeloa Coca during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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France's Christophe Jallet, left, and Yohan Cabaye challenge Spain's Andres Iniesta Lujuan during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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France's Yohan Cabaye, left, challenges for the ball with Spain's Andres Inestia Sanchez during their World Cup Group I qualifying soccer match at Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March, 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (credit:AP)
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France's Franck Ribery, right, controls the ball as Spain's Sergio Busquets Burgos, looks on during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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France's Laurent Koscielny, left, overruns David Villa Sanchez of Spain during their World Cup Group I qualifying soccer match at Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March, 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) (credit:AP)
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France's Mathieu Valbuena performs a bicycle kick as Spain's Sergio Busquets Burgos, left, looks on during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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France's Mathieu Valbuena performs a bicycle kick as Spain's Sergio Busquets Burgos, left, and Sergio Ramos Garcia, right, look on during their World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) (credit:AP)
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Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai (yellow) gives a yellow card to France's midfielder Paul Pogba (4thR) during the World Cup 2014 qualifying football match France vs Spain on March 26, 2013 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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France's midfielder Franck Ribery (C) vies with Spain's defender Gerard Pique (L) during the World Cup 2014 qualifying football match France vs Spain on March 26, 2013 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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France's defender Patrice Evra (C) heads the ball in front of Spain's defender Alvaro Arbeloa (R) during the World Cup 2014 qualifying football match France vs Spain on March 26, 2013 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
France v Spain - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier(44 of53)
PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 26: Paul Pogba (C) of France is shown the red card during a FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier between France and Spain at Stade de France on March 26, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
France v Spain - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier(45 of53)
PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 26: Karim Benzema (C) of France is substituted by head coach Didier Dechamps during a FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier between France and Spain at Stade de France on March 26, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
France v Spain - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier(46 of53)
PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 26: Head coach Vicente Del Bosque of Spain shouts from the touchline during a FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier between France and Spain at Stade de France on March 26, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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France's forward Karim Benzema (C) vies with Spain's midfielder Xabi Alonso during the World Cup 2014 qualifying football match France vs Spain on March 26, 2013 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris. AFP PHOTO / THOMAS COEX (Photo credit should read THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Spain's forward Pedro (C) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal during the World Cup 2014 qualifying football match France vs Spain on March 26, 2013 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris. AFP PHOTO / THOMAS COEX (Photo credit should read THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Spain's forward Pedro (2ndL) is congratulated by Spain's forward David Villa (L) after scoring a goal during the World Cup 2014 qualifying football match France vs Spain on March 26, 2013 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris. AFP PHOTO / THOMAS COEX (Photo credit should read THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Spain's forward Pedro (2ndL) celebrates after scoring a goal during the World Cup 2014 qualifying football match France vs Spain on March 26, 2013 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris. AFP PHOTO / THOMAS COEX (Photo credit should read THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Spain's forward Pedro (hidden) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal during the World Cup 2014 qualifying football match France vs Spain on March 26, 2013 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Spain's forward Pedro (2ndL) celebrates after scoring a goal during the World Cup 2014 qualifying football match France vs Spain on March 26, 2013 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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France's forward Karim Benzema gestures during the World Cup 2014 qualifying football match France vs Spain on March 26, 2013 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Barcelona forward Pedro slotted home from close range following Nacho Monreal's cross from the left, as Hugo Lloris failed to punch the ball clear.
France's hopes of a share of the spoils took a blow when Pogba collected two quick bookings to see red in the 78th minute in just his second appearance for Les Bleus.
Victor Valdés was still called upon to deny Patrice Evra an equaliser with a stunning save as Spain held on to leapfrog France in Group I.