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 The supporters of both teams also impeccably observed a minute's
silence to honour the victims ahead of a match that will be
remembered more for the symbolic nature of the occasion than for
most of the action on the pitch.
Played just four days after the Islamic State's assault in Paris
left 129 people dead, the English fans, along with the away
supporters, showed remarkable dignity and respect.
The players were led on to the field by Prince William and the team
managers -- England's Roy Hodgson and France's Didier Deschamps --
who carried wreaths while fans waved the tricolour.
"It was a very poignant occasion and we achieved all the things we
wanted to achieve in the rememberance. An act of defiance was better
than the other alternative," said Hodgson.
France defender Laurent Koscielny, who plays for Arsenal, added: "It
was important for everybody that we played, for those who were
watching us and for the victims. I know the English, they have a lot
of respect for the French, we saw that tonight."
After kickoff, although France appeared to settle first, almost
relieved the pre-match observations were over, England held the
upper hand and took a grip with goals from man of the match Dele
Alli and Wayne Rooney either side of halftime.
Understandably, after a traumatic few days, France found the going
tough on the Wembley turf. "The performance was not easy for us. We
had a lack of aggression and concentration but I think maybe it's a
bit normal," Lloris said.
OUTSTANDING ALLI
England midfielder Alli, 19, blasted the ball past his Tottenham
Hotspur club goalkeeper Lloris into the top corner for his first
international goal after 39 minutes.
"He was almost faultless, he was outstanding," Hodgson said of Alli,
who was winning his fourth cap on his first start."
Rooney, playing in what is becoming a more usual deep-lying role,
doubled England's lead in the 48th minute after Alli, who started
the move, found Raheem Sterling who crossed for Rooney to volley
home his 51st international goal.
England striker Harry Kane twice went close to scoring, including a
searing long-range drive in the second half which flew just wide.
England, who played poorly in a 2-0 friendly defeat away to Spain on
Friday, had not beaten France in six meetings since 1997, but the
visitors never made it easy for the home side on what was obviously
a difficult evening for their players.
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The visitors' best chance fell to midfielder Yohan Cabaye of Crystal
Palace, one of 13 players in the 23-man France squad who are
playing, or have played, their club football in England. His seventh
minute shot flew just over Joe Hart's crossbar.
DIFFICULT NIGHT
The unusual nature of the occasion was clear during the game with
the crowd applauding France substitutes Lassana Diarra and Antoine
Griezmann when they came on in the second half.
A cousin of Diarra's was killed in Friday's attacks, while
Griezmann's sister escaped unhurt from the Bataclan concert venue
where 89 people lost their lives.
There was hardly a foul during the game and afterwards the fans and
the England team roundly applauded the France players.
"It was a difficult night for everyone, especially for the French
players and staff," Rooney said.
"I thought both teams handled it really well. I'm sure this will get
shown round the world and show the togetherness and unity in
ourselves and France and in football.
"As Didier Deschamps said, it's not about religion, it's not about
race, it's about togetherness.
"Anyone can play the game of football and hopefully tonight shows
whoever you are around the world, you can come together. We need to
stand tall and stand together at this tough time."
(Reporting by Mike Collett' Additional reporting by Ian Chadband;
Editing by Ken Ferris)
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