Emotional France fan quotes Winston Churchill as England fans sing La

While paying tribute to England, Deschamps singled out Lassana Diara, who lost his cousin in the terrorist attacks but insisted on staying in the squad, and was given a standing ovation when he made a substitute appearance 20 minutes from full-time.

David Cameron, Prince William and London Mayor Boris Johnson were in the stands as tens of thousands of England supporters joined French fans in singing their anthem at Wembley Stadium which was guarded by armed police.

“Tonight is more about solidarity than football”, said England fan Robert Williams, who was wearing a beret and holding a French flag. An excellent cross from Raheem Sterling reached Rooney at the back post, where the captain swiveled to fire his volley home off the despairing Lloris’ palm.

Young midfielder Alli, winning his fourth cap for England and making his first start, blasted the ball past his Tottenham Hotspur club goalkeeper and France skipper Hugo Lloris for his first global goal after 39 minutes. Meanwhile, in Hanover, the match between Germany and Holland was cancelled barely one hour before kick-off due to a security threat.

For a few, including numerous French players and fans, it was perhaps also a moment to briefly distract their minds from everything that had happened since they last played a football match.

Both teams came together before the game to show their respect for the people of Paris following the attacks on the French capital last Friday with a group photo to the applause of a red, white and blue crowd.

Bale’s Real Madrid team-mate and France striker Karim Benzema said: “Thanks to people throughout the world for supporting France in such a moment of tragedy and sadness #PrayForParis #ANGFRA #NousSommesUnis”.

“After the indications we received, we knew we could not stage this game”.

French sports minister Patrick Kanner was adamant that the games would be played in France on schedule.

France’s players were caught up in the attacks that ripped through Paris in several locations. We need to stand tall and stand together in these tough times’.

With pre-match security that featured highly visible armed officers patrolling the stadium, and ticket holders being asked to arrive early for extra screening, the match – previously considered a non-event by most fans – took on a new level of significance.

But seven minutes before the break the determined English got on the board when Alli, in his first match for England, blasted a magnificent shot into the twine from outside the area.

Hodgson said: “I think it was a very poignant occasion – it was everything I expected it to be and I thought the way the FA and the French FA set it up was very well done”.

“It was always going to be a hard night for everyone, especially the French players and staff”, he told ITV1.

Before the game, fans expressed a variety of opinions about whether the game should be played.

In this part of the world, we have learned that it is the frivolous things that make life worth living.