England and France stood shoulder-to-shoulder on Tuesday in the first major event since the atrocities in Paris which horrified the world.
Terrorist attacks across the French capital saw 129 people murdered, with bombs let off outside the Stade de France reverberating around the ground during France’s friendly with Germany.
The ripples spread far wider, though, as midfielder Lassana Diarra’s cousin Asta Diakite was one of those killed, while Antoine Griezmann’s sister managed to
Both started Friday’s match but were named amongst the substitutes at Wembley, where England and France joined in a special, poignant pre-match tribute.
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A flag with ‘Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite’ led the team procession onto the field, followed out by the Duke of Cambridge, Prime Minister David Cameron, FA Chairman Greg Dyke, French Federation president Noel Le Great and Patrick Kanner, French Secretary of State for Urban Affairs, Youth and Sport.
The words to La Marseillaise were shown on the big screen, allowing home supporters to join in a touching rendition of the French national anthem.
Play was surprisingly competitive when it got under way, with Roy Hodgson’s men showing impressive flashes of quality during a decent first half that saw them take a 1-0 lead through a fine strike by full debutant Dele Alli, who showed skill and confidence to strike a wonderful effort from distance that flew past Spurs team-mate Hugo Lloris.
The Three Lions doubled their advantage at the start of the second-half when Alli, continuing an impressive display, robbed Paul Pogba and played the ball wide to Raheem Sterling, whose cross was met by a Wayne Rooney volley.
Diarra and Griezmann received standing ovations as they entered the field but the French were unable to find a goal.
