France's Olivier Giroud, left, celebrates after scoring the equalising goal against Spain in their World Cup qualifier. Pix: AFP/Getty ImagesMADRID: Spain's hopes of a 25th consecutive win in qualifiers were dashed after a stoppage time goal saw France snatched a 1-1 draw in an entertaining World Cup qualifying Group I clash at Vicente Calderon this morning.

Spain took the lead in the 25th minute through defender Sergio Ramos, who needed two attempts to divert the ball into the net after earlier hitting the bar.

The world and European champions could have taken a 2-0 at the break if not for Cesc Fabregas' penalty was saved by Hugo Lloris.

France stepped up the pressure in the second-half, but despite numerous opportunities, it was not until three minutes into stoppage time that substitute Olivier Giroud scored a dramatic equalizer.

Ramos insisted that although France's goal was their own fault, no particular players should be singled out for criticism.

"The goal was more our fault than the virtues of France, but no one is to blame for the draw," Ramos told AS.

"We feel a little stupid, especially as we had the three points in our hands. We had chances to score and then we failed to mark them."

When asked about the injuries sustained by his two club Real Madrid teammates Alvaro Arbeloa and Karim Benzema, he said: "Let's see what the doctors say. Hopefully it's nothing."

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque admitted they backed off in the second half, and that this is what cost them as they conceded late on.

"We speculated a little when we were leading 1-0," said the 61-year-old.

"The truth is that we should have been tighter defensively in the second half, but we were too open. We should not devalue the draw though."

In another Group I match, Belarus ran out 2-0 winners over Georgia in Minsk to climb off the bottom of the standings.

Renan Bressan opened the scoring on six minutes and Stanislav Dragun added in the 28th minute.

- mD