Franck Ribery, Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane bagged the goals which sank Spain 3-1 and moved France into the World Cup quarter-finals.

The Spaniards took the lead through David Villa's penalty, which was cancelled out by Ribery's classy equaliser.

And Juventus star Vieira headed home a late free-kick before Zidane put the icing on the cake with a sumptuous third in stoppage time.

Left-back Mariano Pernia had the first meaningful chance of the game on eight minutes, curling a free-kick just over the crossbar.

But Thierry Henry was looking sharp for France and his low shot drew a comfortable save from Iker Casillas.

Zidane's 16th-minute shot was deflected over while the French spurned a great chance on 23 when Henry's superb cross into the box evaded Ribery by inches and was poked wide by Vieira.

It was Spain who broke the deadlock, though, when Lilian Thuram's clumsy foul on Pablo Ibanez gave them a questionable penalty, which Villa coolly slotted under the diving hand of Fabian Barthez.

Both sides were playing slick, flowing football and France equalised with a sublime move on 41 minutes, when Vieira's defence-splitting pass released Ribery, who rounded Casillas and sidefooted home.

Fernando Torres responded by charging into the French box, where he was stopped in his tracks - but this time Italian referee Roberto Rosetti turned down the penalty appeals.

After the break the game was played at a much slower tempo and Spain coach Luis Aragones sent on Joaquin and Marcos Senna for Villa and Raul in a bid to stir his troops into life.

It was France who started to take control, though, and Florent Malouda's shot was clawed away by Casillas before sub Sidney Govou fired over the bar after fine set-up play by the impressive Ribery.

Joaquin jinked into the box on 79 minutes and steered a low shot into the sidenetting - but four minutes later France struck.

Zidane's floated free-kick was flicked on by Xabi Alonso to the near post, where Vieira headed into the back of the net via Sergio Ramos' knee to spark wild celebrations which continued in stoppage time when Zidane jinked into the box and slotted home a clinical right-footed finish.

The win ensures Zidane's career goes on, with a mouthwatering quarter-final with Brazil on Saturday night next up for the French.