England ended France's five-match winning streak with a 2-0 victory at Wembley this evening in an emotionally-charged international friendly.
Both sets of supporters paid tribute before the match to the 129 people who lost their lives in a string of terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday evening.
The match itself went ahead despite the attacks, and goals from Dele Alli and Wayne Rooney saw England end their calendar year in victorious fashion.
Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at whether the hosts were worthy winners on the night.
Match statistics
ENGLAND
Shots: 9
On target: 4
Possession: 49%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 13
FRANCE
Shots: 9
On target: 3
Possession: 51%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 10
Was the result fair?
The result tonight was always going to be of secondary importance. The world is still trying to come to terms with the events in Paris on Friday, and the very fact that this match went ahead at all caused some controversy. Both football associations decided to go ahead with it, however, and the entire French squad showed great strength to participate, despite reportedly being told by manager Didier Deschamps that they could sit out if they so desired.
It was as fitting a tribute to those affected by the atrocities as sport could provide, with both sets of fans belting out the French national anthem and the minute's silence being impeccably observed. It was anyone's guess what type of match the two teams would play out under the circumstances, but it proved to be an entertaining contest. Both sides looked eager to get forward whenever possible, and there was plenty of positive, forward-thinking play from England and France.
Focusing purely on footballing matters, England certainly deserve their victory. The stats above are very even, but England looked the more threatening of the two sides throughout and created the better chances. In addition to the goals, Rooney, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling all came close for the hosts, while France's only clear opening saw Anthony Martial thwarted by Jack Butland. The defeat will be put into perspective by the events surrounding the match, however, so Deschamps is unlikely to be too perturbed by the result.
England's performance
It is tough to read too much in to tonight's match. England's opponents could not help but be distracted, while the Three Lions themselves were missing as many as 17 players who might hope to be on the plane to France next summer. Even so, they can only be judged on what happened on the night, and the signs were infinitely more encouraging this evening than they were during the defeat to Spain on Friday. Roy Hodgson's side were outclassed on that night, but today they showed signs that perhaps they can hang with Europe's elite after all.
France named a relatively strong side, albeit not full strength, while England's team was their youngest since 1959. You wouldn't have known it from watching the game. Alli, the youngest member of the squad at just 19, was particularly impressive and marked his full international debut with a sublime strike to give his side the lead. England pushed for more at the end of the first half and began the second half in a similar vein, doubling their advantage through Rooney's volley.
It could have been more for England, who came close on a few other occasions, but they rarely looked in danger of letting their lead slip once Alli had blasted them ahead. They defended patiently and stoutly, and perhaps the most impressive thing of all was how composed they were in possession compared to the match against Spain. France didn't press them as heavily as the Spanish did, but England still looked a lot more confident and assured with the ball at their feet, despite their tender years. It was a much improved performance and one that is likely to restore some of the optimism that followed their perfect qualifying campaign.
France's performance
Not one French supporter will bat an eyelid at this result. It was incredible that Les Bleus were even able to play tonight given what happened in their capital city four days ago, and particular mentions should go to Lassana Diarra, who lost his cousin in the attacks, and Antoine Griezmann, whose sister was a survivor from the Bataclan theatre. Both featured off the bench tonight and both were given great receptions from all inside Wembley for their remarkable strength in being able to play.
The performance itself from France was bright in spells, with the visitors looking to hit England on the counter-attack whenever possible. They committed plenty of men forward and just about edged possession, but they struggled to create anything of real substance in the final third. Joe Hart had two fairly routine saves to make in the first half, while Butland's stop to deny Martial was comfortably France's best attacking moment of the match.
Paul Pogba, who created that chance, came on at half time and was his side's best player, but ultimately Les Bleus could not break down what was a collected England defence. Defensively, they perhaps could have closed Alli down quicker and Hugo Lloris will be disappointed that he couldn't keep Rooney's volley out, but they couldn't have any major complaints at losing tonight. Ultimately it was a match when the competitiveness gave way to compassion, and that was perhaps best shown by Deschamps barely leaving his seat throughout, when usually he is prowling the touchline.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Dele Alli: A first start for your country is a moment that a player will never forget, while a first goal is similarly stored away. To have scored a goal like Alli did, on his first start, is particularly memorable. It was not just the strike, which left his Tottenham Hotspur teammate Lloris helpless as it arrowed into the corner, that was so impressive. In the build-up Alli flew into a 50-50 with Morgan Schneiderlin, winning the ball back for his team and sparking the move that led to the goal.
It was a similar story for the second goal as the teenager robbed Pogba of possession to set up Sterling, who in turn assisted Rooney's volley. Alli's performance all over the pitch was impressive today, being it breaking into the opposition area or making crucial interceptions in his own box, as he did to deny Martial at one stage. It is still very early days in his career, of course, but he looks like an exciting talent and a complete midfielder in the making.
Biggest gaffe
Lloris sent an early clearance straight to Kane, but got away with that one. The France skipper, though, will feel that he should have done better with Rooney's volley as the ball went through him on its way in. Rooney did strike the volley sweetly from fairly close range, but it was certainly one that Lloris could have kept out.
Referee performance
Jonas Eriksson won't have many easier games than this one to officiate. It was a match played in the right spirit, with all the players aware that there were bigger circumstances hanging over the occasion.
What next?
England: England are not in action again until March, when they take on Germany and Netherlands in two more high-profile friendlies.
France: France also take on Netherlands in March, as well as facing Russia.
Barney Corkhill
