France 1 - 0 England

That's it. The ref blows the final whistle and England lose 1-0 to France in Paris.

Somebody in the crowd mimics the final whistle and the game has got to that directionless stage that friendlies do.

Bentley takes a corner but france break at pace. Cisse out paces Johnson, who sticks out a leg as the striker shoots and does just enough to cause Cisse to shoot into the side-netting.

Time is running out for England and they don't look like getting an equaliser.

Owen has dropped too deep and finds himself in midfield, then proceeds to give the ball away to Cisse in a dangerous position.

Bentley chips the ball over the French defence for Crouch but Gallas sees the danger and hooks the ball clear over his head.

Crouch sells a dummy to Gallas and passes to Owen, who is free in the box. Owen looks up and sees the offside flag. Better play from England though.

After a good effort so far, England have reverted to type and a hoofing hopeful punts up the pitch now. Not what is required.

The game seems to have lost all direction. France are happy to keep the ball in their half and England, despite losing 1-0, seem happy to let them do so.

France have a lot more time on the ball this half and England have much less possession.

Crouch wins a freekick off Makelele but then hoof the ball straight out for a throw.

France also make a change. Trezeguet (I think that is the first time I have typed his name in this match) is replaced by Govou.

Ferdinand breaks up an attack and launches Owen on the counter. Crouch gets the ball on the edge of the box and shoots high and wide.

Crouch wins his header in classic style but Owen is nowhere near to support of him. England need to get much more support up to Crouch.

Downing sets Cole free down the right, three team-mates wait for his cross but Cole chips the ball up and Coupet collects. That was a very poor effort from Cole.

French tactics work a treat as Barry is caught upfield. Fortunatley Ferdinand makes a great tackle on Ribery.

France are cutting through England much more easily since the change in formation.

Downing drives down the flank and cuts the ball back for Crouch, who can't get his feet sorted out and loses possession. Anelka races way on the breakfor France and shoots over the bar from a tight angle.

Downing runs away from the French goal this time, but at least he wins a freekick.

So it's the two men up top for England with the old big man-little man combination of Crouch and Owen.

The ref blows for half-time.

Barry whips the ball into the box and Rooney manages to get a speculative effort on goal with a glancing header. Coupet saves.

Rooney is chasing down the ball but the French defenders just play it around and make space to launch an attack; Hargreaves breaks it up once again for England.

Anelka races forward but can't shake off the attentions of Hargreaves, who grapples with the striker until the rest of England's defence can get back in position.

Beckham and Gerrard combine down the right but the move results in yet another cross into a sparsely populated area. Not much guile in attack for England so far.

...Ribery runs up an slots the ball past James, who dives the wrong way. GOAL!

Thuram plays a throughball for Anelka, who races clear of the English defence. James rushes of his line and brings down the striker...penalty!

Beckham anticipates Abidals' haede clearance and starts and England attack. Their is some good movement down the left side but not enough awarness to get through Les Bleus' defence.

France made an excellent start but it is England on top for this period of the game.

England seem to have got a grip on the game now. they are playing at a leisurely pace which is a break from the norm - it must be under instruction from Capello.

Gerrard, playing in an advanced role, links up well with Rooney and then shoots from about 30-yards...and misses by a long, long way.

Beckham lofts the ball up to Gerrard, who controls the ball on his chest but he is on a different wavelength to Rooney and his pass goes astray.

A Cole crosses from the left but there is only Rooney in the box. Coupet makes a hash of collecting the ball and Beckham nearly scores at the back post.

This is a good test of the English defence. So far so good... with the help of some poor finishing.

England give the ball away cheaply - that has happened a lot already. Meanwhile, France look composed when they attack.

Ribery angles in a freekick from the left. Anelka gets a free header on the penalty spot and the England keeper James can only watch his effort go wide of the post.

Beckham looks full of energy and is running hard all over the pitch... maybe he has been told he will only play 45 minutes

malouda takes a heavy touch which allows Ferdinand to come out of defence and clear the ball. Hargreaves fouls Toulalan.

France get the game underway - kicking from right to left.

The national anthems are playing and the French win that round; La Marseillaise is one of the best anthems there is.