World Cup Qualifiers: France Proves It's Legitimate Despite 1-0 Loss to Spain

France's 1-0 loss to Spain may have dented their hopes of automatic qualification for the 2014 World Cup, but their gallant performance against the World and European Champions was one filled with positives.

Les Bleus may have lacked the potency to break down a stern Spanish side that clinched victory through Pedro's second-half strike, but the fact that they have conceded just two goals in as many outings against a team that eased past them in comfortable fashion at Euro 2012 is legitimate proof that Didier Deschamps' men can be considered as contenders for major honors.

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of France's display was the form showed by defender Raphael Varane and midfielder Paul Pogba, who have now started consecutive games for their country after also appearing in Friday's 3-1 win over Georgia.

Real Madrid's Varane has already caused a stir this season with assured and confident performances in La Liga and in the Champions League, and the qualities he showed against La Roja at the Stade de France will go a long way to furthering his reputation, the 19-year-old performing superbly at the heart of a defence that stymied Spain for the majority of a tight contest.

In the middle of the park it was Pogba who stood out in spite of his tender age, the 20-year-old Juventus man's night finished in controversial fashion as he was sent off for two yellow cards in as many minutes, but that should not detract from an excellent performance in which he appeared extremely comfortable in possession and made a number of key tackles against the world's top side.

The emergence of Varane and Pogba will be a huge bonus for a side that is already blessed with a multitude of talent, but it is perhaps the latter's abilities that will be more important to Deschamps' charges as they try and book their ticket to Brazil.

Indeed, Pogba's battling qualities, coupled with the box-to-box presence of Paris Saint-Germain's Blaise Matuidi allowed Yohan Cabaye and Mathieu Valbuena more freedom from an attacking perspective, and although Spain were able to keep France well shackled for the majority of the contest, the increased number of options in midfield is something Deschamps should be able to exploit in future.

Further, forward Franck Ribery caused the Spanish defence a number of difficulties from the left flank and should be praised for an energetic and creative display. The likes of Jeremy Menez, Dimitri Payet and Loic Remy also able to deployed from wide areas, where France's squad depth is particularly strong.

Still, despite a largely encouraging showing, there are a few weaknesses in the French side that were clearly evident in this defeat. Right-back Christophe Jallet had a poor game in the absence of Mathieu Debuchy, while Patrice Evra—unsettled by the pace of Pedro and Jesus Navas—was far from his best on the other side of the back four. Karim Benzema once again failed to find the net, and cut an isolated figure up front.

These are all problems that can be fixed with some ease due to French football's impressive production line of world-class players, a call-up for Lille's Lucas Digne has already been mooted, while Sochaux's Sebastien Corchia could soon be competing with Debuchy and Jallet after another impressive domestic season.

The striking dilemma may be a more complex problem for Deschamps to solve, Benzema cannot seem to put any sort of form together at international level, while understudies Olivier Giroud and Bafetimbi Gomis have still to prove their worth on the world stage.

That is an issue for the future though, and the France boss should be able to console his players safe in the knowledge that they can compete with and trouble one of the best international sides of all time. The finishing touches will eventually follow.