http://goal.com/en/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=636203 France 1-0 England A first half penalty won by Nicolas Anelka and converted by Franck Ribery was enough for France to pip England in an uninspiring affair at the Stade de France in Paris - on an evening to forget for skipper Rio Ferdinand and centurion David Beckham.
A low-key first half with few chances for either side was finally brought to life just after the half-hour mark when Nicolas Anelka won a penalty after being brought down by England goalkeeper David James.
A great through pass by Clerc saw Anelka race past his club captain John Terry and slip the ball past David James who was too slow to react and brought the striker down leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot. Ribery then stepped up to send James the wrong way and put France into a 1-0 lead.
Despite going a goal behind England failed to respond and went into the break at half time trailing. Although they had their fair share of possession the away side struggled to create any clear cut chances with Joe Cole, Gerrard and Rooney all failing to trouble a well-organised French defence.
France, in contrast, were looking dangerous on the flanks with the pace of Malouda and Ribery worrying England full-backs Ashley Cole and Wes Brown and a lively Anelka proving a handful for Ferdinand and Terry.
Capello shuffled his pack at half-time with Rooney, Gerrard, Terry and Joe Cole being replaced by Owen, Crouch, Downing and Lescott to give England some much needed bite up front and some extra width in midfield. However it was France who made the better start to the second half with Anelka and Malouda both going close.
The home side grew into the game in the second half, dominating possession and trying to slide passes through the England defence for Anelka. England in contrast were looking sloppy with Crouch and Owen struggling to make their mark on the game and Downing proving wasteful in possession.
David Bentley eventually replaced Beckham just after the half hour mark and it will be interesting to see whether the LA Galaxy man did enough to persuade Capello that he merits his place in the side. Fortunately for the former England captain Bentley had little opportunity in his half hour to suggest he could be a better option.
The second half finally dwindled to a close, the home side dominating possession and England struggling to assert themselves or fashion any chances. Domenech replaced Anelka and Trezeguet with Cisse and Govou, but the substitutions did little to change the pattern of the match which remained largely with the home side forcing the English back but with both goalkeepers having little to do.
For England the night was always going to be overshadowed by David Beckham earning his 100th cap for his country. In truth Beckham had a quiet, if unspectacular game, picking up a yellow card in the first half before being replaced just after the hour mark by Bentley.
Yet Beckham’s performance largely reflected that of the whole team; England were a little disappointing and lacked penetration and creativity, particularly in the final third. Although Capello will not be too disheartened by the performance he will be aware that there he has a lot of work to do, especially against opposition of the quality of France.
Meanwhile France, who despite missing Henry, Vieira and Benzema still fielded a strong side will be extremely happy with this result in the run up to Euro 2008. Ribery and Malouda did enough out wide to suggest they will cause problems in the summer and Anelka looked lively up front.
Trezeguet, in contrast, had a quiet game and did little to improve his chances of making the squad this summer. Despite being drawn in the so-called ‘Group of Death’ the French will expect to go far this summer. England can only look on enviously.
France: Coupet, Clerc, Gallas, Thuram, Abidal, Ribéry, Makelele, Toulalan, Malouda, Trezeguet (Govou 64), Anelka (Cisse 80)
England: James, Brown (Johnson 64), Ferdinand, Terry (Lescott 46), A Cole, Beckham (Bentley 64) , Hargreaves, Barry, J Cole (Downing 46), Gerrard (Crouch 46), Rooney (Owen 46)
