International Friendly

Result: Netherlands 2-3 France

Date: 25 March 2016

Venue: Amsterdam Arena

Blaise Matuidi struck in the 87th minute to earn France a 3-2 win over the Netherlands in an international friendly at the Amsterdam Arena. 

The French nearly broke the deadlock as early as the fourth minute, but Jasper Cillessen produced a fine save to keep out Dimitri Payet's long range effort.

The visitors went ahead minutes later when Antoinne Griezmann curled home a sublime free-kick into the far corner from 20-yards out.

The lead was doubled in the 14th minute when Olivier Giroud fired a first-time effort past Cillessen, after Blaise Matuidi knocked the ball back into the danger zone.

Netherlands were dealt a blow after 35 minutes when captain, Wesley Sneijder picked up a knock was forced to be replaced.

Dutch coach, Danny Blind opted to re-shuffle the pack at halftime and introduced Memphis Depay and Ibrahim Affelay. While, Didier Deschamps introduced Anthony Martial and N'Golo Kante.

Memphis made an instant impact, as his free-kick found Luuk de Jong, who managed to head past Steve Mandanda in the 47th minute.

The home side pushed for an equaliser, with Davy Klaasen going close with two chances before the hour-mark.

Payet was instrumental for Le Blues on the night and he nearly registered his name on the score-sheet in the 81st minute, but his curling effort sailed just wide of the upright.

The home side leveled matters in the 83rd minute courtesy of a fine low finish from Affely, who payed homage to the late, Johan Cruyff in in his celebration.

However, France hit back minutes later, as Martial played in Blaise Matuidi, who fired a low effort through the legs of Cillesen from six-yards out to clinch the win.