Finland 1 - Spain 1; France 3 - Georgia 1

Visiting Finland dealt the crowd gathered in Gijon the shock of the day as they took on defending champions Spain.  As was expected, the Spaniards dominated the possession battle, but a determined Finland refused to concede.  Finland constantly played with eleven men in their own half of the field, parking the bus at an expert level.  Santi Cazorla had a big hit midway through the period, but Finland goalkeeper Niki Maenpaa parried the low shot away.  Andres Iniesta had an even better long-range effort with six minutes left in the half that was also stopped by Maenpaa.  The half closed as it began: 0-0.

In the second period, Spain broke the deadlock.  A David Silva corner came onto the head of Sergio Ramos, who celebrated his 100th cap in style with the opening goal.  As a testament to Filand's good defense, their first free kick surrendered did not come until after the hour mark.  Thirty minutes after scoring, however, the Spaniards were caught on the break.  Their reward for solid defending was a shock equalizer on the break.  Two quick passes led to a ball being played into Teemu Pukki, whose first-time effort found the back of the net to break Spanish hearts.  In spite of massive pressure, Spain were unable to find a tiebreaking goal.  Spain manage only a 1-1 draw at home.  To make matters worse, David Silva will be suspended for Tuesday's decisive match in France after collecting too many yellow cards during the campaign. 

Georgia traveled to Saint-Denis to face France.  France did not make their dominance pay off until stoppage time.  A free kick from player of the match Mathieu Valbuena led to a header goal from Olivier Giroud.  With a 1-0 lead in their pockets, France returned to the locker room.

Two minutes in, Franck Ribery was able to pass a ball to Valbuena while neither French attacker was under pressure.  The result was a clinical finish by Valbuena and a 2-0 lead.  Not quite a quarter hour later, Ribery had a goal of his own after having received a ball from Valbuena.  He fought off the challenge of Georgia right back Zurab Khizanishvili in order to fire low to the near post for a 3-0 lead.  Ten minutes later, Georgia had pulled a goal back after a deflected cross fell to Alexander Kobakhidze.  His shot was deflected on the way in by a French defender, so the double deflection proved to be lucky for the visitors, but it was not enought to earn them any points on the night.  France win 3-1 and take the Group I lead into the decisive match against Spain on Tuesday.

France 10 pts +5
Spain 8 pts +5
Georgia 4 pts -4
Belarus 3 pts -5
Finland 2 pts -1

Goals
Spain
Sergio Ramos 49

Finland
Teemu Pukki 79

France
Olivier Giroud 45+1
Mathieu Valbuena 47
Franck Ribery 61

Georgia
Alexander Kobakhidze 71

Match Reports:
http://yle.fi/uutiset/finland_draws_with_world_football_champions_spain/6551712
http://www.france24.com/en/20130323-france-beat-georgia-go-top-group
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130322/france-georgia-uefa-world-cup-qualifying.ap/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpw-EAgVi3g (Finland v. Spain)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F30ARCtnxYw (France v. Georgia)