France against England

France have the ball with Zidane in the middle of the park, and he moves towards the England goal, but his chipped ball towards Henry is yet again overhit. Goal kick to England.

Free kick to France, taken quickly, but the ball is swung in deep to the back post where Henry is lurking, but it is overhit by Sagnol and goes out for a goal kick.

England are currently six minutes away from winning the first match in the European Championships for the very first time in their history.

Gallas is down in a heap and looks badly injured. The England fans are giving their team some great support from the terraces.

Eight minutes to go and Lizarazu goes charging down the left wing, but Neville does brilliantly and gets in a block that goes out for a goal kick.

Back come France again and the ball is driven in towards Henry on the penalty spot, only for King to get in another vital clearance, completed by Gerrard.

Barthez delivers a long clearance upfield, which tests Campbell's heading abiliy, but the big centre back is up to the task.

James comes to claim a deep, curling centre which relieves a modicum of pressure off the England defence.

France make their second change of the game, introducing Sagnol for Silvestre.

Gallas gets to the by-line and his cross finds Henry in the middle, but the Arsenal man cannot get any power on his header and it drifts harmlessly wide.

Both sides are now making changes, with France bringing on Wilthord for Pires, while England bring on both Hargreaves and Heskey for Scholes and Rooney.

England almost make it 2-0 with a shot from the edge of the box by Vassell, which kicks up and hits Barthez in the face. A strange incident.

James comes out to his six-yard box to punch the ball clear, and England can breathe a sigh of relief.

Back come France, who immediately win a right-wing corner off King's near-post interception.

But, an amazing save by Barthez to deny Beckham, diving high to his right to palm the ball away.

Penalty to England following a sensational run by Rooney, right through the whole France defence, before he is sythed down by Silvestre, who is booked for his troubles.

And immediately Vassell goes on a run, turning Silvestre on the corner of the box, before sending in a dangerous centre that Thuram does well to intercept.

First change of the match is made by England, who take off Owen, who has been very quiet, and introduce the lively Vassell.

England can barely get out of their own half at the moment, with King making another important interception with his head.

Again France poor forward, and their is a chance for Lizarazu down the left wing, but the through-ball to the full back is just overhit and goes out for a goal kick.

Chance for Rooney, who goes past two defenders, but plays the wrong ball, looking for Owen down the right channel, instead of Scholes on the opposite flank.

A cross is played into the England box by Pires, but Campbell keeps his composure and clears his lines.

There is a quiet atmosphere in the stadium now, with England certainly hanging on a bit and holding on to their 1-0 advantage.

England win themselves a free kick on the halfway line, but again give away possession cheaply, only for Zidane to send a long-range shot high over the bar.

Half-chance falls to Henry on the edge of the box, but he shoots high over James's bar. A warning though to England that you cannot give the striker that much room.

Again Rooney is found in a lot of space and again he tries to take on the entire France defence, before Lizarazu brings him down for a free kick.

Rooney gets the ball in space, down the England left, but he steps on the ball twice, before giving away a free kick for a wild foul on Thuram.

It is all France now, with England hanging on a bit.

Free kick to France after a foul by Rooney on Zidane - the England striker is not at all happy with that decision.

England come forward now, exchanging passes between Scholes and Gerrard, before Beckham tries his luck from about 30 yards out and it sails over the bar.

France attempt to play the ball through the eye of a needle on the edge of the England box, before Henry's high boot catches Neville in the face and a free kick is given to England.

Scholes is booked for a typical Scholes tackle on Vieira, late and mistimed.

According to the half-time stats, France enjoyed 54% of possession in the first half and had eight shots on goal, two on target.

Now Owen wins his side a free kick, deep in the France half, taken by Beckham, but headed over the bar by Lampard.

Strong claims for a penalty by France following a handball by Neville, but it looks accidental!

Immediately, France break on a lightening counter and the ball is played by the marauding Vieira to Henry, who turns inside Neville, before shooting straight into the midrift of James.

Free kick to England for a hack on Scholes's ankles by Pires, taken by Gerrard, but headed clear by Silvestre.

Now it is Zidane's chance to try his luck, from fully 40 yards and James is forced to make his third save of the scond period.

Henry picks up possession on the left wing and runs at the England defence, before crossing low to the six-yard box, but James smothers the ball at the second attempt.

Immediately France are on the attack and the ball bobbles on the edge of the England area, before it breaks to Henry, who sends a stinging volley straight at James.

France start this second period, kicking from right to left.

England go in leading 1-0 at the break thanks to Frank Lampard's headed goal after 38 minutes.

One final chance for France, with the ball slipped into Henry in the area, but with his back to goal, and King also right at his back, the Arsenal striker sends an acrobatic bicycle kick over the bar. That is half-time.

The fourth official indicates that there will be one added minute to be played at the end of this first half.

Beckham delivers to the back post, where that man Lampard gets his head to it, but he can only divert it out for a throw-in.

Owen does well to find Rooney, who in turn wins a right-wing corner off the back tracking Lizazaru.

The left-wing corner is to the back post, but the deep header back across the area by Vieira is easily claimed by James.

A harsh free kick is given against Rooney for a foul on Vieira - that was a poor decision by Mr.Merk and from it France win a corner after the ball flicked off King's head.

England come forward again, on the right wing and are now going looking for a second goal, but Barthez comes to claim Beckham's cross.

That is the first goal that France have conceeded in 12 months! Rooney wins his team a free kick in his own half.

GOAL! Beckham's expert delivery from the right-hand touch-line finds Lampard and the Chelsea man sends his near-post header flying in off the post past a stranded Barthez.

England are given a free kick for a foul by Lizazaru on Beckham in a dangerous position.

King comes to England's rescue with a crucial headed clearance on the six-yard box after Pires's centre took a wicked deflection.

Trezeguet gives away a free kick to England for a foul on Campbell, much to the ironic cheers on the large watching England contingent.

Rooney goes past Lizazaru, but cannot get past Silvestre, who plays the ball off the big Everton striker's feet for a throw-in to France.

Gerrard brings Zidane down deep in the England half and France take it very quickly, only for Vieira to shoot wastefully high over the bar.

Free kick to England for an offside flag against Trezeguet, taken by King, who finds Scholes, who in turn finds a maurading Gerrard, but his pass is overhit and Beckham cannot control it.

Cole breaks up a France attack on the edge of his own area, before playing the ball to Scholes, but Lizazaru cleverly wins a throw-in off Rooney.

Half an hour gone in a game of very few chances, perhaps the best one falling to Trezeguet.

But, again England defend well and have won a throw-in deep in their own half, taken by Neville.

Now France come forward and Lampard gives away a free kick for a late tackle on Zidane - that was masterly skill by the great man.

Throw-in for France on the halfway line, but Campbell heads clear and England start an attack involving Rooney, who has been holding the ball up very well.

England keep possession well, working the ball cleverly to Scholes by Nevile and Lampard on the right flank, but the midfielder shoots high and wide.

Lampard gives away a free kick for a late tackle on Vieira, but immediately England go upfield and win a corner following a great run into the box by Gerrad, but Gallas makes a very good recovering tackle.

England come forward through Rooney, who turns his man nicely, before finding Owen, who in turn plays a cross-field pass back to Beckham, but Owen is then penalised at the back post for a foul on Gallas.

Henry attempts an audacious ball over the top to his strike partner Trezeguet, but the impressive King intercepts.

England come forward now down their right flank, but Beckham's deep centre towards Scholes is too long and goes out for a goal kick.

Again, a disappointing right-wing corner by Pires is easily dealt with by the England defence.

Late tackle on Pires by Lampard and a free kick is given to Les Bleus on the halfway line. Immediately France have broken clear down the right and Campbell is forced to concede a corner.

France have the ball at the back, before building patiently with Pires on the right, and he goes right past Scholes again as if he was not there, before Campbell clears the centre.

Free kick to England for offside, but England are giving away possession far too cheaply at the moment, and the ball breaks to Makelele on the edge of the box, but his eventual shot is harmless.

Another opening for Trezeguet, but the ball is just overhit to the striker, who was not offside, and James comes to collect.

Again Cole gets tight on the dangerous Pires, who is not given an inch by the Arsenal left-back. France are really starting to turn it on.

Pires tries to run his club-mate Cole, but it breaks to Vieira, who plays in a great ball to Trezeguet and the striker's header is only just over the bar. Real warning to England

First real opening for France after England let Zidane run free, but the playmaker shoots high and wide of James's left-hand post.

England are playing keep ball nicely, until it appears as though Scholes is fouled off the ball by Thurham, but referee Merk waves play on.

Throw to England after Gallas's right-wing centre is overhit.

But, England try and find Cole down the left flank with a difficult pass and it is overhit and goes out for a goal kick.

England are retaining possession well in these early stages, looking confident, before Vieira gives away a free kick for a foul on Gerrard.

Pires takes the right-wing corner, that is too deep and goes out for a throw to England.

Free kick to France following a foul by Gerrard, but Lampard does very well to get a glancing header away for a corner.

Makelele tries to find Pires on the right wing, but Cole does well to get a clearing header in and then completes the clearance.

First opening for England ends with a clever through-ball towards Owen, but Gallas reads the play brilliantly, otherwise the Liverpool front man would have had a shooting chance.

Pires runs straight past Scholes with a great turn of pace and whips in a dangerous, curling centre that James does well to claim.

Lampard goes on a run down the right wing, but over runs it and France clear their lines, before Rooney fouls Vieira and gives away a free kick.

Eventually the corner falls to Vieira on the edge of the area, but he shoots wildly over the bar.

King gets an important early touch, which will settle him down, but immediately France win the first corner of the match, from the left off Cole.

England get the match under way, kicking from right to left.

There is a full house of 65,000 in this recently built stadium which feels like a home match for England, what with all the noise emanating from the stands from the Three Lions supporters. Both sets of respective national anthems are currently being played.

Welcome to the Stadium of Light for this fascinating match-up between the current European champions France and England in Group B of Euro 2004.

Join us as England start their campaign with a colossal clash against the holders at Estadio da Luz. Kicking off at 19.45 BST

Penalty to England following a sensational run by Rooney, right through the whole France defence, before he is sythed down by Silvestre, who is booked for his troubles.

And immediately Vassell goes on a run, turning Silvestre on the corner of the box, before sending in a dangerous centre that Thuram does well to intercept.

First change of the match is made by England, who take off Owen, who has been very quiet, and introduce the lively Vassell.

England can barely get out of their own half at the moment, with King making another important interception with his head.

Again France poor forward, and their is a chance for Lizarazu down the left wing, but the through-ball to the full back is just overhit and goes out for a goal kick.

Chance for Rooney, who goes past two defenders, but plays the wrong ball, looking for Owen down the right channel, instead of Scholes on the opposite flank.

A cross is played into the England box by Pires, but Campbell keeps his composure and clears his lines.

There is a quiet atmosphere in the stadium now, with England certainly hanging on a bit and holding on to their 1-0 advantage.

England win themselves a free kick on the halfway line, but again give away possession cheaply, only for Zidane to send a long-range shot high over the bar.

Half-chance falls to Henry on the edge of the box, but he shoots high over James's bar. A warning though to England that you cannot give the striker that much room.

Again Rooney is found in a lot of space and again he tries to take on the entire France defence, before Lizarazu brings him down for a free kick.

Rooney gets the ball in space, down the England left, but he steps on the ball twice, before giving away a free kick for a wild foul on Thuram.

It is all France now, with England hanging on a bit.

Free kick to France after a foul by Rooney on Zidane - the England striker is not at all happy with that decision.

England come forward now, exchanging passes between Scholes and Gerrard, before Beckham tries his luck from about 30 yards out and it sails over the bar.

France attempt to play the ball through the eye of a needle on the edge of the England box, before Henry's high boot catches Neville in the face and a free kick is given to England.

Scholes is booked for a typical Scholes tackle on Vieira, late and mistimed.

According to the half-time stats, France enjoyed 54% of possession in the first half and had eight shots on goal, two on target.

Now Owen wins his side a free kick, deep in the France half, taken by Beckham, but headed over the bar by Lampard.

Strong claims for a penalty by France following a handball by Neville, but it looks accidental!

Immediately, France break on a lightening counter and the ball is played by the marauding Vieira to Henry, who turns inside Neville, before shooting straight into the midrift of James.

Free kick to England for a hack on Scholes's ankles by Pires, taken by Gerrard, but headed clear by Silvestre.

Now it is Zidane's chance to try his luck, from fully 40 yards and James is forced to make his third save of the scond period.

Henry picks up possession on the left wing and runs at the England defence, before crossing low to the six-yard box, but James smothers the ball at the second attempt.

Immediately France are on the attack and the ball bobbles on the edge of the England area, before it breaks to Henry, who sends a stinging volley straight at James.

France start this second period, kicking from right to left.

England go in leading 1-0 at the break thanks to Frank Lampard's headed goal after 38 minutes.

One final chance for France, with the ball slipped into Henry in the area, but with his back to goal, and King also right at his back, the Arsenal striker sends an acrobatic bicycle kick over the bar. That is half-time.

The fourth official indicates that there will be one added minute to be played at the end of this first half.

Beckham delivers to the back post, where that man Lampard gets his head to it, but he can only divert it out for a throw-in.

Owen does well to find Rooney, who in turn wins a right-wing corner off the back tracking Lizazaru.

The left-wing corner is to the back post, but the deep header back across the area by Vieira is easily claimed by James.

A harsh free kick is given against Rooney for a foul on Vieira - that was a poor decision by Mr.Merk and from it France win a corner after the ball flicked off King's head.

England come forward again, on the right wing and are now going looking for a second goal, but Barthez comes to claim Beckham's cross.

That is the first goal that France have conceeded in 12 months! Rooney wins his team a free kick in his own half.

GOAL! Beckham's expert delivery from the right-hand touch-line finds Lampard and the Chelsea man sends his near-post header flying in off the post past a stranded Barthez.

England are given a free kick for a foul by Lizazaru on Beckham in a dangerous position.

King comes to England's rescue with a crucial headed clearance on the six-yard box after Pires's centre took a wicked deflection.

Trezeguet gives away a free kick to England for a foul on Campbell, much to the ironic cheers on the large watching England contingent.

Rooney goes past Lizazaru, but cannot get past Silvestre, who plays the ball off the big Everton striker's feet for a throw-in to France.

Gerrard brings Zidane down deep in the England half and France take it very quickly, only for Vieira to shoot wastefully high over the bar.

Free kick to England for an offside flag against Trezeguet, taken by King, who finds Scholes, who in turn finds a maurading Gerrard, but his pass is overhit and Beckham cannot control it.

Cole breaks up a France attack on the edge of his own area, before playing the ball to Scholes, but Lizazaru cleverly wins a throw-in off Rooney.

Half an hour gone in a game of very few chances, perhaps the best one falling to Trezeguet.

But, again England defend well and have won a throw-in deep in their own half, taken by Neville.

Now France come forward and Lampard gives away a free kick for a late tackle on Zidane - that was masterly skill by the great man.

Throw-in for France on the halfway line, but Campbell heads clear and England start an attack involving Rooney, who has been holding the ball up very well.

England keep possession well, working the ball cleverly to Scholes by Nevile and Lampard on the right flank, but the midfielder shoots high and wide.

Lampard gives away a free kick for a late tackle on Vieira, but immediately England go upfield and win a corner following a great run into the box by Gerrad, but Gallas makes a very good recovering tackle.

England come forward through Rooney, who turns his man nicely, before finding Owen, who in turn plays a cross-field pass back to Beckham, but Owen is then penalised at the back post for a foul on Gallas.

Henry attempts an audacious ball over the top to his strike partner Trezeguet, but the impressive King intercepts.

England come forward now down their right flank, but Beckham's deep centre towards Scholes is too long and goes out for a goal kick.

Again, a disappointing right-wing corner by Pires is easily dealt with by the England defence.

Late tackle on Pires by Lampard and a free kick is given to Les Bleus on the halfway line. Immediately France have broken clear down the right and Campbell is forced to concede a corner.

France have the ball at the back, before building patiently with Pires on the right, and he goes right past Scholes again as if he was not there, before Campbell clears the centre.

Free kick to England for offside, but England are giving away possession far too cheaply at the moment, and the ball breaks to Makelele on the edge of the box, but his eventual shot is harmless.

Another opening for Trezeguet, but the ball is just overhit to the striker, who was not offside, and James comes to collect.

Again Cole gets tight on the dangerous Pires, who is not given an inch by the Arsenal left-back. France are really starting to turn it on.

Pires tries to run his club-mate Cole, but it breaks to Vieira, who plays in a great ball to Trezeguet and the striker's header is only just over the bar. Real warning to England

First real opening for France after England let Zidane run free, but the playmaker shoots high and wide of James's left-hand post.

England are playing keep ball nicely, until it appears as though Scholes is fouled off the ball by Thurham, but referee Merk waves play on.

Throw to England after Gallas's right-wing centre is overhit.

But, England try and find Cole down the left flank with a difficult pass and it is overhit and goes out for a goal kick.

England are retaining possession well in these early stages, looking confident, before Vieira gives away a free kick for a foul on Gerrard.

Pires takes the right-wing corner, that is too deep and goes out for a throw to England.

Free kick to France following a foul by Gerrard, but Lampard does very well to get a glancing header away for a corner.

Makelele tries to find Pires on the right wing, but Cole does well to get a clearing header in and then completes the clearance.

First opening for England ends with a clever through-ball towards Owen, but Gallas reads the play brilliantly, otherwise the Liverpool front man would have had a shooting chance.

Pires runs straight past Scholes with a great turn of pace and whips in a dangerous, curling centre that James does well to claim.

Lampard goes on a run down the right wing, but over runs it and France clear their lines, before Rooney fouls Vieira and gives away a free kick.

Eventually the corner falls to Vieira on the edge of the area, but he shoots wildly over the bar.

King gets an important early touch, which will settle him down, but immediately France win the first corner of the match, from the left off Cole.

England get the match under way, kicking from right to left.

There is a full house of 65,000 in this recently built stadium which feels like a home match for England, what with all the noise emanating from the stands from the Three Lions supporters. Both sets of respective national anthems are currently being played.

Welcome to the Stadium of Light for this fascinating match-up between the current European champions France and England in Group B of Euro 2004.

Join us as England start their campaign with a colossal clash against the holders at Estadio da Luz. Kicking off at 19.45 BST