England against France

Adam Johnson is in loads of space on the right wing but tries to beat Abidal rather than cross early. When he eventually does cross, it is blocked. Selfish.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"><b>Reveillere on, Sagna off</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"><b>Hoarau on, Gourcuff off</b>

It would be utterly undeserved if they did.

<b>Young's corner is volleyed in by Crouch with his first touch! Can England save this?</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL Crouch pulls one back for England.</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Crouch on, Gerrard off</b>

Bothroyd has won a corner for England.

Peter Crouch is warming up, with Gerrard holding his hamstring.

Wembley is emptying as Nasri hits the post for France! Warnock was not close enough to Nasri who sidestepped him and shot against Ben Foster's near post. 3-0 wouldn't be undeserved.

Nine minutes of torture left for England. And this will be Fabio Capello's first defeat at Wembley.

Chance for England! Johnson beats Abidal on the right wing and puts a low ball across the area that Lloris palms away into the path of Gerrard, but the Liverpool captain hits the rebound wide.

You can question England's ability but not their endeavour in this second half. They have made life more difficult for the French in the second half. But that's the only glimmer of light for England.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Payet on, Malouda off</b>

Ashley Young's corner is played very deep for Gerrard who knocks it back into the danger area but the ball is cleared. Straight off the training ground, back to the drawing board.

He does and the ball takes a deflection out for a corner on the opposite side. France lucky there (for the first time tonight) they were unaware where that ball was.

England keeping France in their own half but not doing a great deal with the ball. But Adam Johnson has won a free kick on the right and he will whip it in...

That's the end of Carroll's night, England's best player by miles. The anonymous Henderson remains on the pitch though.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Warnock on, Gibbs off</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Bothroyd on, Carroll off</b>

England get forward again on the left wing with Gibbs's cross nowhere near Carroll and the chance is gone. Gibbs needs to practice his crossing.

That's the end of Valbuena's night, and a superb night it has been for him.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Diarra on, Valbuena off</b>

Here he is. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Remy on, Benzema off</b>

France are preparing Loic Remy on the touchline.

Young finds Gibbs on the left wing, whose low cross is cleared. But this is more promising for England, despite the poor cross by Gibbs.

Capello is still frowning.

Chance for England! Johnson's ball bounces in the box and evades everyone except for Gerrard who meets the ball at a tight angle near the far post. He stoops to head the ball back across goal but the ball clips the top of the bar and goes just over.

Milner finds Johnson, who is fouled on the right wing. A chance from the set-piece for the hosts...

France have looked so clever in central midfield tonight and, as woeful as England have been, credit must be given to Laurent Blanc's team. It has been wonderful to watch.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/1117/karimbenzemacelebveng20101117_275x155.jpg"><br>Benzema beat Foster at his near post

That move started in France's own half. It was outstanding football. Not for the first time tonight.

<b>Fantastic move by France leaves England staring down the barrel. Sagna motors down the right wing in so much space it's unbelievable. His cross finds Valbuena who steers his shot inside the far post. </b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL England 0-2 France</b>

Twinkle toes Nasri bursts through the England defence and appeared to be pulled down. No penalty given.

A little bit better by England in the second half.

Nasri plays the ball down the right wing to Sagna but Ashley Young puts his foot on the gas to get back and times his tackle perfectly.

Great ball by Milner into the path of Gerrard, but Sagna stood his ground and the chance is gone.

Rami flicks on the corner and the ball escapes everyone. Goal kick.

Valbuena wins a corner on the right for France.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Nasri is caught by <b>Henderson</b> who picks up a yellow card for that late challenge. It was a foul but a yellow is somewhat harsh there.

I think I'm right in saying that's the first time England have got behind the French defence - and it's Richards who provides it.

Richards straight into the action with a powerful run down the right. He gets behind Abidal but the ball runs away from him.

<b>And we are underway again at Wembley</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> And for France, just the one. <b>Sakho on, Rami off</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Rio Ferdinand, Gareth Barry and Theo Walcott off</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Adam Johnson, Ashley Young and Micah Richards on...</b>

Three half time substitutions for England...

Join <a href="http://www.twitter.com/mjdasilva" target="_blank">me</a> in 15 minutes for the second half.

<b>Thankfully for England, that's half time. France has outclassed their hosts in every area. It's men against boys.</b>

Malouda nutmegs Barry. That was brilliant.

Benzema finds Abidal motoring forward down the left but Lescott does well to cut out Abidal's cross. France were toying with England there.

Capello has got some work to do if he is to motivate his troops here. They have been woeful.

Milner gets a cross in from the right byline but there is no one there to challenge for it.

Carroll does well again to step away from Mexes, who was caught out by Carroll's stepover. Caroll couldn't quite release Walcott in time but further proof that Carroll is England's only good player in what has been a truly terrible first half for England.

Mexes gets away with a blatant handball to deny Walcott, who was away on the right wing. Walcott can't believe it! Neither can I.

France launch an attack from that Ferdinand lapse through Malouda, who squeezes a cross in. But Valbuena wasn't in a good enough position, as Foster comes out to claim the ball.

Ferdinand gives the ball away in his typically casual manner.

Gibbs gives the ball away on the edge of his own box and Valbuena claims possession. But his cross is wayward. Gibbs out of jail there.

Carroll strikes a shot from the edge of the box, but Lloris claims comfortably. Carroll has been England's best player, but only the 12th best player on the pitch.

Long ball is nodded down by Carroll to Gerrard who hits the ball just over on the half volley. England's best chance, a half chance.

Anothing piercing move by France ends in a woefully sliced shot by Benzema. But it was another great counter attack, orchestrated by Nasri.

I wonder what Ribery, Evra, Toulalan, Anelka et al are thinking...

England showing greater technical ability and a supreme confidence in possession. Laurent Blanc will be very, very happy.

The boos are already ringing out at Wembley! England have been THAT bad.

Benzema and Nasri combine brilliantly again and France have another corner.

Abidal receives the ball in so much space that he has time to put his feet up and read the paper. It's pipe and slippers stuff here.

France keeping the ball with more intelligence at the moment. M'Vila, Nasri and Gourcuff running the show.

Gerrard looks long for Jagielka who was galloping forward, but Gerrard's pass is poor and France in possession again.

England continually playing themselves into trouble at the back. The England defence are having a nightmare.

England chasing shadows at the moment. Walcott, Milner, Henderson and even Gerrard are anonymous so far.

<b>Benzema gives France a deserved lead after a neat one-two with Malouda. France have been cutting England open for fun during the first 15 minutes so that goal is no surprise. But Benzema's left-footed error sneaked in at Foster's near post. He won't be happy with that.</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL! 1-0 France</b>

Caroll flicks on for Milner, who finds Walcott but Walcott's attempted return pass to Milner on the edge of the box is cut out.

England clear their lines and can relax a little now.

France really settling down now. England at sea. Gourcuff wins another corner after his fierce shot from 20 yards is parried away.

Malouda gets past Ferdinand very easily but Malouda's right footed effort his sliced horribly wide.

France starting to open England up. Valbuena tries to catch Foster off his line but his lob goes well clear of the bar.

Malouda tests Foster for the first time with a good low shot. Foster gets down well but Malouda was given afr too much space to turn there.

Good run by Nasri, tries to find Benzema but Lescott is in the way.

Malouda's corner is headed out to Milner who tries to launch a counter attack but Sagna does very well to halt Milner.

France passing the ball around with more urgency than England in the early stages and Gourcuff wins a corner on the right.

Ferdinand sends a long ball towards Carroll, who tried to flick the ball on for Milner but the ball skims off the surface an away from the Manchester City man.

<i>ESPN Stats & Info:</i> The last time there was a Newcastle & a Sunderland player in England's starting XI was in 2000 vs Malta (Shearer & Phillips).

Mexes concedes another free kick on the right wing, chopping down Gerrard. Henderson and Walcott linked well to put Gerrard in space.

Gerrard strikes it hard and low and through the wall but Lloris gets down to gather the ball.

Carroll was pushed in the back by Mexes and wins an early free kick for England some 30 yards out.

<b>England get us underway at Wembley.</b>

The national anthems are playing out. Andy Carroll isn't singing.

The players are walking onto the pitch at a cold and very wet Wembley.

France's bench looks like this: Carrasso, Mandanda, Sakho, Cabaye, Remy, Hoarau, Reveillere, Payet, Diarra, Kaboul, Gameiro, Clichy

England's subs tonight are: Green, Richards, Warnock, Smalling, Cahill, C. Cole, A. Young, A. Johnson, Bothroyd, Crouch, Loach

<b>Fabio Capello on England new-boy Andy Carroll:</b> "This is a big chance. To play with the senior side and to change his lifestyle. I hope he will understand what really happens when you play with the seniors. I have spoken to him about what he has to do during the game. I haven't spoken to him about his private life but I will. Everyone makes mistakes when they're young. He's 21. A lot of people drink, no? We have to help him but he has to understand he is in the senior team.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/JonMC/January2010/fra-275.jpg"><br>French fans at Wembley.

<b>FRANCE: Lloris; Sagna, Rami, Mexes, Abidal; Gourcuff, M'Vila, Nasri; Valbuena, Benzema, Malouda.</b>

<b>ENGLAND: Foster; Jagielka, Ferdinand (c), Lescott, Gibbs; Henderson, Barry; Walcott, Gerrard, Milner; Carroll </b>

Fabio Capello has handed starts to Jordan Henderson, Kieran Gibbs and Andy Carroll in what is a new-look England team. I will be bringing you the starting line-ups in a few moments...

Hello everyone. <a href="http://www.twitter.com/mjdasilva" target="_blank">Michael Da Silva</a> here. Welcome to England vs France on ESPN Soccernet. Stay here for all the action from what, on paper, looks like an interesting clash.

Ashley Young's corner is played very deep for Gerrard who knocks it back into the danger area but the ball is cleared. Straight off the training ground, back to the drawing board.

He does and the ball takes a deflection out for a corner on the opposite side. France lucky there (for the first time tonight) they were unaware where that ball was.

England keeping France in their own half but not doing a great deal with the ball. But Adam Johnson has won a free kick on the right and he will whip it in...

That's the end of Carroll's night, England's best player by miles. The anonymous Henderson remains on the pitch though.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Warnock on, Gibbs off</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Bothroyd on, Carroll off</b>

England get forward again on the left wing with Gibbs's cross nowhere near Carroll and the chance is gone. Gibbs needs to practice his crossing.

That's the end of Valbuena's night, and a superb night it has been for him.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Diarra on, Valbuena off</b>

Here he is. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Remy on, Benzema off</b>

France are preparing Loic Remy on the touchline.

Young finds Gibbs on the left wing, whose low cross is cleared. But this is more promising for England, despite the poor cross by Gibbs.

Capello is still frowning.

Chance for England! Johnson's ball bounces in the box and evades everyone except for Gerrard who meets the ball at a tight angle near the far post. He stoops to head the ball back across goal but the ball clips the top of the bar and goes just over.

Milner finds Johnson, who is fouled on the right wing. A chance from the set-piece for the hosts...

France have looked so clever in central midfield tonight and, as woeful as England have been, credit must be given to Laurent Blanc's team. It has been wonderful to watch.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/1117/karimbenzemacelebveng20101117_275x155.jpg"><br>Benzema beat Foster at his near post

That move started in France's own half. It was outstanding football. Not for the first time tonight.

<b>Fantastic move by France leaves England staring down the barrel. Sagna motors down the right wing in so much space it's unbelievable. His cross finds Valbuena who steers his shot inside the far post. </b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL England 0-2 France</b>

Twinkle toes Nasri bursts through the England defence and appeared to be pulled down. No penalty given.

A little bit better by England in the second half.

Nasri plays the ball down the right wing to Sagna but Ashley Young puts his foot on the gas to get back and times his tackle perfectly.

Great ball by Milner into the path of Gerrard, but Sagna stood his ground and the chance is gone.

Rami flicks on the corner and the ball escapes everyone. Goal kick.

Valbuena wins a corner on the right for France.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Nasri is caught by <b>Henderson</b> who picks up a yellow card for that late challenge. It was a foul but a yellow is somewhat harsh there.

I think I'm right in saying that's the first time England have got behind the French defence - and it's Richards who provides it.

Richards straight into the action with a powerful run down the right. He gets behind Abidal but the ball runs away from him.

<b>And we are underway again at Wembley</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> And for France, just the one. <b>Sakho on, Rami off</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Rio Ferdinand, Gareth Barry and Theo Walcott off</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Adam Johnson, Ashley Young and Micah Richards on...</b>

Three half time substitutions for England...

Join <a href="http://www.twitter.com/mjdasilva" target="_blank">me</a> in 15 minutes for the second half.

<b>Thankfully for England, that's half time. France has outclassed their hosts in every area. It's men against boys.</b>

Malouda nutmegs Barry. That was brilliant.

Benzema finds Abidal motoring forward down the left but Lescott does well to cut out Abidal's cross. France were toying with England there.

Capello has got some work to do if he is to motivate his troops here. They have been woeful.

Milner gets a cross in from the right byline but there is no one there to challenge for it.

Carroll does well again to step away from Mexes, who was caught out by Carroll's stepover. Caroll couldn't quite release Walcott in time but further proof that Carroll is England's only good player in what has been a truly terrible first half for England.

Mexes gets away with a blatant handball to deny Walcott, who was away on the right wing. Walcott can't believe it! Neither can I.

France launch an attack from that Ferdinand lapse through Malouda, who squeezes a cross in. But Valbuena wasn't in a good enough position, as Foster comes out to claim the ball.

Ferdinand gives the ball away in his typically casual manner.

Gibbs gives the ball away on the edge of his own box and Valbuena claims possession. But his cross is wayward. Gibbs out of jail there.

Carroll strikes a shot from the edge of the box, but Lloris claims comfortably. Carroll has been England's best player, but only the 12th best player on the pitch.

Long ball is nodded down by Carroll to Gerrard who hits the ball just over on the half volley. England's best chance, a half chance.

Anothing piercing move by France ends in a woefully sliced shot by Benzema. But it was another great counter attack, orchestrated by Nasri.

I wonder what Ribery, Evra, Toulalan, Anelka et al are thinking...

England showing greater technical ability and a supreme confidence in possession. Laurent Blanc will be very, very happy.

The boos are already ringing out at Wembley! England have been THAT bad.

Benzema and Nasri combine brilliantly again and France have another corner.

Abidal receives the ball in so much space that he has time to put his feet up and read the paper. It's pipe and slippers stuff here.

France keeping the ball with more intelligence at the moment. M'Vila, Nasri and Gourcuff running the show.

Gerrard looks long for Jagielka who was galloping forward, but Gerrard's pass is poor and France in possession again.

England continually playing themselves into trouble at the back. The England defence are having a nightmare.

England chasing shadows at the moment. Walcott, Milner, Henderson and even Gerrard are anonymous so far.

<b>Benzema gives France a deserved lead after a neat one-two with Malouda. France have been cutting England open for fun during the first 15 minutes so that goal is no surprise. But Benzema's left-footed error sneaked in at Foster's near post. He won't be happy with that.</b>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL! 1-0 France</b>

Caroll flicks on for Milner, who finds Walcott but Walcott's attempted return pass to Milner on the edge of the box is cut out.

England clear their lines and can relax a little now.

France really settling down now. England at sea. Gourcuff wins another corner after his fierce shot from 20 yards is parried away.

Malouda gets past Ferdinand very easily but Malouda's right footed effort his sliced horribly wide.

France starting to open England up. Valbuena tries to catch Foster off his line but his lob goes well clear of the bar.

Malouda tests Foster for the first time with a good low shot. Foster gets down well but Malouda was given afr too much space to turn there.

Good run by Nasri, tries to find Benzema but Lescott is in the way.

Malouda's corner is headed out to Milner who tries to launch a counter attack but Sagna does very well to halt Milner.

France passing the ball around with more urgency than England in the early stages and Gourcuff wins a corner on the right.

Ferdinand sends a long ball towards Carroll, who tried to flick the ball on for Milner but the ball skims off the surface an away from the Manchester City man.

<i>ESPN Stats & Info:</i> The last time there was a Newcastle & a Sunderland player in England's starting XI was in 2000 vs Malta (Shearer & Phillips).

Mexes concedes another free kick on the right wing, chopping down Gerrard. Henderson and Walcott linked well to put Gerrard in space.

Gerrard strikes it hard and low and through the wall but Lloris gets down to gather the ball.

Carroll was pushed in the back by Mexes and wins an early free kick for England some 30 yards out.

<b>England get us underway at Wembley.</b>

The national anthems are playing out. Andy Carroll isn't singing.

The players are walking onto the pitch at a cold and very wet Wembley.

France's bench looks like this: Carrasso, Mandanda, Sakho, Cabaye, Remy, Hoarau, Reveillere, Payet, Diarra, Kaboul, Gameiro, Clichy

England's subs tonight are: Green, Richards, Warnock, Smalling, Cahill, C. Cole, A. Young, A. Johnson, Bothroyd, Crouch, Loach

<b>Fabio Capello on England new-boy Andy Carroll:</b> "This is a big chance. To play with the senior side and to change his lifestyle. I hope he will understand what really happens when you play with the seniors. I have spoken to him about what he has to do during the game. I haven't spoken to him about his private life but I will. Everyone makes mistakes when they're young. He's 21. A lot of people drink, no? We have to help him but he has to understand he is in the senior team.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/JonMC/January2010/fra-275.jpg"><br>French fans at Wembley.

<b>FRANCE: Lloris; Sagna, Rami, Mexes, Abidal; Gourcuff, M'Vila, Nasri; Valbuena, Benzema, Malouda.</b>

<b>ENGLAND: Foster; Jagielka, Ferdinand (c), Lescott, Gibbs; Henderson, Barry; Walcott, Gerrard, Milner; Carroll </b>

Fabio Capello has handed starts to Jordan Henderson, Kieran Gibbs and Andy Carroll in what is a new-look England team. I will be bringing you the starting line-ups in a few moments...

Hello everyone. <a href="http://www.twitter.com/mjdasilva" target="_blank">Michael Da Silva</a> here. Welcome to England vs France on ESPN Soccernet. Stay here for all the action from what, on paper, looks like an interesting clash.