article_snippet: France had taken the lead through a Raphael Varane header, and looked to be in total control before Chelsea star Oscar's well-worked equaliser, but the visitors fought back strongly in the second half, and could have scored more as the game wore on.
article_snippet: Raphael Varane gets up highest to head France into the lead, after Danilo had slipped and Patrice Evra had blocked Miranda .
article_snippet: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy) France, on the other hand, threatened most from set pieces, and Karim Benzema, Moussa Sissoko and Varane could easily have added further goals for the hosts, as Brazil looked panicky whenever a decent cross arrived in Nicola Rizzoli
article_snippet: France had actually started the brighter, and should have been ahead after just eight minutes, Karim Benzema denied by a brilliant save from Jefferson, but Karim Benzema really should have scored Karim Benzema header from three yards.
article_snippet: Neymar, oscillating between the subtle touches we are used to seeing from Neymar and a clear inability to cope with the slippery surface, should really have been the first to fire past the France keeper, after Oscar had capitalised on a mistake from Morgan Schneiderlin, but having squared up Varane, Karim Benzema shot lacked power and direction.
article_snippet: Oscar gets a shot away in front of Southampton star Morgan Schneiderlin, but for the most part Brazil were limited to efforts from range, without breaking France down .
article_snippet: Mathieu Valbeuna, whose corner led to France's opening goal, takes on Chelsea and Elias left back Felipe Luis of Chelsea and Elias during the friendly match .
article_snippet: But France were never able to fully capitalise on Brazilian frailties again, Varane failing to poke home after a free kick, and Benzema blazing over the bar.
article_snippet: Jefferson, who had earlier made a good save from Benzema following another set piece, cannot stop Varane's header finding the corner .
article_snippet: Despite having plenty of defenders in the box, Brazil were unable to stop Varane getting a clean header on the ball to open the scoring .
article_snippet: Valbuena (right), Antoine Griezman, Mamadou Sakho and Benzema congratulate Varane (left) for his headed goal .
highlights_snippet: Real Madrid centre back Raphael Varane powers in a header from a Mathieu Valbuena corner to give France the lead .
  