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France teaches England tough lesson
Source: Agencies |
November 19, 2010, Friday
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FRANCE provided further evidence of its post-World Cup recovery Wednesday with a 2-1 friendly victory over England in London, coach Fabio Capello's first home loss since taking charge of the England team almost three years ago.
Karim Benzema beat England goalkeeper Ben Foster at his near post after 16 minutes and Mathieu Valbuena's volley put the rejuvenated French further ahead in the 55th.
Substitute Peter Crouch reduced the deficit in the 86th after connecting with Ashley Young's corner, but the score didn't reflect how the French outplayed a makeshift England side, which is still rebuilding after its own World Cup failure.
Laurent Blanc has led France to four straight wins since becoming coach, including three 2012 Euro qualifiers.
"We very much bossed the first half and turned that excellent play into a goal," Blanc said through a translator. "We talked before about how we would take the game to England because they are a very physical side ... we managed to impose our own ideals."
For England, the loss was its first since exiting the World Cup.
"We could do better - we didn't really pass the ball and we didn't really get going until the last 15 minutes," England captain Rio Ferdinand said.
England's performance created a huge media backlash in the British press yesterday, although one fact was largely overlooked.
While Fabio Capello's experimental team was outclassed, there were some very good English Premier League players on display at Wembley.
The trouble for Capello was they were playing for France.
Fullback Bacary Sagna, who provided the pass for Mathieu Valbuena'a goal which put France 2-0 ahead, and Samir Nasri, who largely ran the match with a brilliant midfield display, both earn their keep playing for Arsenal.
Chelsea's Florent Malouda also had a huge impact, creating Benzema's opening goal after 16 minutes.
Karim Benzema beat England goalkeeper Ben Foster at his near post after 16 minutes and Mathieu Valbuena's volley put the rejuvenated French further ahead in the 55th.
Substitute Peter Crouch reduced the deficit in the 86th after connecting with Ashley Young's corner, but the score didn't reflect how the French outplayed a makeshift England side, which is still rebuilding after its own World Cup failure.
Laurent Blanc has led France to four straight wins since becoming coach, including three 2012 Euro qualifiers.
"We very much bossed the first half and turned that excellent play into a goal," Blanc said through a translator. "We talked before about how we would take the game to England because they are a very physical side ... we managed to impose our own ideals."
For England, the loss was its first since exiting the World Cup.
"We could do better - we didn't really pass the ball and we didn't really get going until the last 15 minutes," England captain Rio Ferdinand said.
England's performance created a huge media backlash in the British press yesterday, although one fact was largely overlooked.
While Fabio Capello's experimental team was outclassed, there were some very good English Premier League players on display at Wembley.
The trouble for Capello was they were playing for France.
Fullback Bacary Sagna, who provided the pass for Mathieu Valbuena'a goal which put France 2-0 ahead, and Samir Nasri, who largely ran the match with a brilliant midfield display, both earn their keep playing for Arsenal.
Chelsea's Florent Malouda also had a huge impact, creating Benzema's opening goal after 16 minutes.
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