Euro 2000 quarter final - France 2 Spain 1

Raul Gonzalez missed an 89th penalty for Spain in Bruges as France won 2-1 to reach a Wednesday night semi final against Portugal.

The Real Madrid star came close to creating another famous Spanish revival as his team chased the goal they needed to force extra time.

Italian referee Pierluigi Collina pointed to the spot after French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez had brought down Spain captain Abelardo on the by-line in a scramble after the 'keeper had dropped the ball.

Raul stepped up and leaned back, lifting the ball with his left instep over the cross bar and causing joyous screams of relief from Barthez and his French team.

France had come close to letting their lead slip by sitting back and defending for the last third of the game and Spain had created few clear chances as they chased a goal but were allowed time and space to keep coming into attacks.

In injury time substitute Urzaiz jumped and headed a driven cross form Alfonso over th bar in another close call for the world champions.

France were hanging on after Youri Djorkaeff had produced a brilliant finish to put them into the lead at 2-1.

Patrick Vieira put Djorkaeff through on the right hand side of the penalty area and the midfielder struck a sweet waspish drive through the arms of Canizares into the net at the near post.

Just four minutes previously Spain had got back on level terms after Lilian Thuram was judged to have pulled Pedro Munitis' legs from under him as he turned in the penalty area. Gaizka Mendieta hit a firm and low penalty kick wide of Barthez.

In the 32nd minute Zinedine Zidane had given France the lead with a super free kick from the edge of the 'D' when he swept in a curling right foot shot high into the top corner.

Zidane had missed a chance in the 28th minute to put France in th lead when he was put clear by a cross field pass from Christophe Dugarry but produced an air shot to miss kick the ball away from in front of goal.

Raul had forced a great save from Barthez when he turned and shot from outside the area in one motion. The French 'keeper needed to jump at the last second and deflect a dipping shot that almost went over him into the net. Barthez had also saved an 18th minute Paco free kick from the left hand side that swerved dangerously under his cross bar.

Patrick Vieira had wasted the chance to give France an early lead when he met a Zidane free kick but headed over the cross bar in the 3rd minute.

Spain pressed forward bravely in the second half but France relied on their rock solid back line with Desailly twice clearing important chances. Abelardo sent in a downward header in the 69th minute which the Chelsea man was on hand to clear and he deflected a Guardiola snap shot over the bar with Barthez beaten and going the wrong way.

The French goalkeeper was called on to save at the feet of Alfonso in the 46th minute while Djorkaeff just missed with a driven free kick from long range in the 83rd minute as Spain began to dominate the play.

France allowed that domination as they were confident in their ability to ride out the pressure but they needed a miss from Raul to secure their place in a Wednesday night semi final against Portugal.