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EURO hosts France savour victory over Spain

Goalscorer Loïc Rémy said it was good to be home as France picked up where they left off at the FIFA World Cup, defeating European champions Spain in Saint-Denis.

Loïc Rémy (L) celebrates after scoring the only goal at the Stade de France
Loïc Rémy (L) celebrates after scoring the only goal at the Stade de France ©AFP

Match winner Loïc Rémy said it was good to get back in front of France's home supporters in Saint-Denis after the UEFA EURO 2016 hosts defeated European title holders Spain 1-0 on Thursday night.

"The World Cup was a great experience, both personally and professionally," said the Chelsea FC forward, who came on as a second-half substitute and scored the spectacular only goal 18 minutes from time. "We've been eager to do well for our fans and have been impatient to return."

Coach Didier Deschamps was delighted that Les Bleus picked up where they left off after their strong showing at Brazil 2014, when they reached the quarter-finals. "Spain made us suffer towards the end but we made the effort," he told French television. "This is a good result for our return. We can be more accurate but we've kept the same desire and the same enthusiasm as in Brazil."

France continue their build-up to UEFA EURO 2016 in Serbia on Sunday, while Spain kick off their qualifying campaign against the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on Monday.