England and France pay fitting tribute to Paris victims with an entertaining friendly at Wembley Stadium.

Prior to kick-off, emotional tributes were paid to the victims of Friday's terrorist attack, as England and France fans united to give a deafening rendition of La Marseillaise.

The game itself proved to be an enthralling affair. Goals from Dele Alli and Wayne Rooney either side of half-time were enough for the Three Lions to secure an impressive 2-0 win over the Euro 2016 host nation. 

The opening twenty minutes proved to be surprisingly frantic, as both sides pressed forward explicitly in search of the opening goal. France would have the first effort on goal during this period, with Yohan Cabaye firing just over the crossbar from fully 25-yards. Moments later, the Three Lions came close to opening the scoring. After intercepting a clearance from Hugo Lloris on the edge of the penalty area, Harry Kane was just unable to feed the ball through to the onrushing Wayne Rooney at the back post.

Manchester United prodigy, Anthony Martial, prove to be a threat on the left flank for Les Bleus throughout the first half. The young forward came close to opening his account for his national team; however after darting past Nathaniel Clyne on the left of the penalty area, Martial saw his subsequent effort on goal well saved by Joe Hart

On the half hour mark, Wayne Rooney spurned a glorious opportunity to further extend his lead at the top of the all-time England goalscoring charts. A quick counter attack led by Harry Kane culminated in the Spurs’ forward sliding the ball through to Rooney on the right flank. The England captain flicked the ball past Laurent Koscielny with consummate ease, before firing the ball just wide of the right post.

Dele Alli opens the scoring

In the 38th minute, Dele Alli gave the Three Lions a deserved lead in emphatic fashion. The Spurs’ youngster, after winning the ball off Morgan Schneiderlin in the centre circle, continued his run forward before being found on the edge of the penalty area by Clyne. The Spurs’ youngster’s subsequent effort on goal proved to be one of astounding quality, as the ball flew past a hapless Lloris in the French goal, and into the top right hand corner of the net. 

Despite the sombre atmosphere surrounding tonight’s game, both England and France provided the 80,000 in attendance at Wembley Stadium with a thoroughly enjoyable first half of football. Although Les Bleus pushed forward with intensity at any given opportunity, Roy Hodgson’s men were well worth their 1-0 half-time lead. The Spurs offensive duo of Dele Alli and Harry Kane, in particular, impressed in the first half, with the former marking his maiden England start with an astounding goal.

Rooney doubles England's lead

Just two minutes into the second half, Wayne Rooney doubled England’s lead with a wonderful volley from the edge of the six-yard box. After working the ball out to the left flank, Raheem Sterling floated a teasing ball into the path of Rooney, who subsequently volleyed the ball under Hugo Lloris and into the goal. 

Despite going two goals behind, Didier Deschamps’ men continued to valiantly press forward. The introduction of Juventus’ Paul Pogba at half-time added extra attacking incentive to the French midfield. On the hour mark, the 22-year-old almost reduced the deficit with an audacious effort from the edge of the penalty area; looping the ball over the head of Jack Butland and onto the roof of the net. 

Moments later, Pogba proved to be at the heart of another wonderful piece of play from Les Bleus. After being found by Martial on the left of the penalty area, the Juventus midfielder carved the England defence open with a wonderful back heel through ball back to Martial. However, Martial’s subsequent effort on goal on the left of the six-yard box was well saved by Butland at his near post. 

Although a thoroughly entertaining friendly at Wembley Stadium, the incredible solidarity shown by the English and French fans tonight will undoubtedly be the abiding memory of the game.

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About the author
Jack  Gallagher
Member of the VAVEL writing team since June 2012, and became editor-in-chief of the UK edition in June 2013. English and History at QUB.