England vs France 1999 Friendly (Full Match)

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https://www.facebook.com/classicfootballtv Wednesday, 10 February 1999 A Nationwide International Friendly Match England 0-2 France Wembley Stadium, Wembley, Brent, Greater London Attendance: 74,111; Kick-off: 8.00pm GMT England: Seaman, Dixon, Le Saux, Ince, Adams, Keown, Beckham, Redknapp, Shearer, Owen, Anderton. Subs: Winterburn, Martyn, Ferdinand, Wilcox, Scholes, Cole, Fowler. France: Barthez, Thuram, Blanc, Desailly, Lizarazu, Deschamps, Petit, Zidane, Djorkaeff, Pires, Anelka. Subs: Porato, Candela, Leboeuf, Boghossian, Vieira, Dugarry, Wiltord. Referee: H Crug (Germany) Howard Wilkinson's reign as England caretaker coach got off to the worst possible start, as world champions France served up an exhibition of flowing football to record their first ever victory at Wembley. Arsenal striker Nicolas Anelka was the architect of England's destruction, finishing off two sweeping second half moves - but Wilkinson was fortunate not to see his team concede more. After an encouraging start England were simply brushed aside in the second period, as World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane stamped his authority on proceedings with a sublime individual display.Wilkinson, eager to live up to his reputation as a safe pair of hands following the sacking of Glenn Hoddle, will have been disheartened by the manner in which his team faded away. He said before the game that the result of this friendly would be vital to his side's chances in their crucial Euro 2000 qualifier with Poland.On the evidence of this dismal display the Poles will have little to fear. The defence, which was dominated by Arsenal veterans, was torn to shreds on a number of occasions, the midfield was over-run in embarrassing fashion and Alan Shearer, Michael Owen and later substitute Andy Cole were left totally detached up front. England flattered by early chances It had all begun so brightly for England and Wilkinson. Tony Adams was presented with a glorious chance in only the second minute, as David Beckham sent over a curling free-kick from the right. But Adams, who found himself unmarked in the box, put his header wide. England continued to make the early running and French keeper Fabien Barthez was forced into a sharp save after eight minutes, turning away Owen's deflected shot with his legs following Shearer's knock-down. Barthez produced another fine stop mid-way through the half, this time to hold Beckham's fizzing 25-yard free-kick. David Seaman pulled off a point-blank save after 29 minutes to keep out Anelka's flick after Marcel Desailly had found him from a corner. England will regret the fact that their clearest chance of the match fell to a defender, Martin Keown, who slashed a left-foot shot over the bar after the ball ricocheted at his feet eight yards out from Beckham's corner. France firing after the break After their steady start, England faded towards half-time and they began the second period in a similarly pedestrian vein, as France indulged in possession football. Zidane, who became more and more of an influence as the match wore on, came close with a rasping 60th minute shot that flashed just past substitute Nigel Martyn's left-hand post.