Spain host France tonight in what is indisputably the highlight of the World Cup qualifiers in Europe. The duo met as recently as the summer's European Championship when the all-conquering Roja finally ended their French curse in Donetsk thanks to two goals from Xabi Alonso.
Optimism is not rife across the Channel. The chastening manner of the Euros defeat alone arguably cost Laurent Blanc his job as France's overly defensive tactics failed to stymie Vicente del Bosque's patient players. Now Didier Deschamps, whose teams are as defensive as he was as a player, will aim for improvement.
Until that last eight triumph the Spaniards had never beaten the French in four fixtures at major international finals. In 1984, a Michel Platini-inspired France won their first major honour on home soil at Euro 84, defeating Spain 2-0 at the Parc des Princes-held final in Paris.
Twelve years later, José Caminero cancelled out Youri Djorkaeff's opener to deny Les Bleus victory in the Euro 96 group stages, although both sides would be eliminated at the knockout stage on penalties.
Four years on and France were at their zenith. World champions and soon to be European champions, a brilliant free-kick from Zinedine Zidane was levelled by the silky Gaizka Mendieta only for Djorkaeff to strike again. Raúl hit a bloated penalty off target in the dying embers to guarantee France's passage to the semi-final.
And at the 2006 World Cup an ageing France were underdogs against their opponents yet still beat Spain. David Villa gave Luis Aragonés's team the lead but goals from Franck Ribéry, Patrick Vieira and Zidane earned Raymond Domenech's side a 3-1 win in the last 16.
Vieira's winner from a free-kick was notable for the manner in which it was won. Thierry Henry feigned agony after a challenge from Carles Puyol, still bitter at his treatment at that year's Champions League final when Arsenal lost to Barcelona.