England vs France match report: Dele Alli shines brightest of all Roy Hodgson's young stars at Wembley

The history books may only remember the context, but the records will show a memorable night for Tottenham Hotspur young midfielder

Dele Alli shoots to score the first goal for England against France (Getty Images)

The night belonged to the people of France but the match, for what it is worth, belonged to Dele Alli. The history books will not dwell on the football at Wembley but the record books will show that on Alli’s first England start, he scored his first England goal, playing 88 of the 90 minutes in this 2-0 win.

Roy Hodgson said on Monday afternoon that it should not be forgotten that this would be an important moment for his young players, and that they should be able to enjoy it. That is how it appeared for Alli, who shone the brightest of all of England’s youngsters.

Alli played with the same smiling fearlessness he shows every week for Tottenham Hotspur, and that mix of physical power and technical skill. The first goal started with a thumping Alli tackle and ended with him beating Hugo Lloris from 25 yards. The second goal also started with an Alli tackle, and ended with Wayne Rooney’s far-post volley.

Those two goals occurred within nine minutes either side of half-time, giving England the win into which too much should not be read. This was not a football match in the traditional sense of the term, although 90 minutes of organised football did indeed take place.

There pre-match sequences were so moving, and so important, that it took much of the first half for players and fans to grow used to the game. The match begun at testimonial pace, a casual kickabout which happened to be the most-watched game of the year. The fact that Wayne Rooney started on the left wing, for the first time since England lost to Italy in Manaus 17 months ago, barely even registered in the opening minutes.

France were able to relax into the game before England could, thanks to the willingness of their talented wingers Anthony Martial and Hatem Ben Arfa – back after a long international exile – to get on the ball. Martial tested Hart from 20 yards but that was France’s only real chance to take the lead before England started to dominate.

Dele Alli celebrates after giving England the lead against France (Getty Images)

When Wayne Rooney switched from the left to the right wing, he begun to take up more promising positions, and although he could not convert a clever touch and turn from a Nathaniel Clyne cross, the idea had merit. Rooney even turned back the years, running directly at Laurent Koscielny, forcing him back but driving his left-footed shot wide.

It was Dele Alli, 11 years younger than his captain, who put England ahead with a goal of such audacity and athleticism that a teenage Rooney would have been proud. Alli clattered Morgan Schneiderlin in midfield, starting a move which ended with the 19-year-old arrowing a 25-yard shot, via a very slight deflection, beyond Hugo Lloris into the far top corner. The whole stadium applauded together.


 England players celebrate after Del Alli scores against France
 (Getty Images)

France responded at the interval by bringing on Kingsley Coman and Paul Pogba, two of the best youngsters in Europe. But Dele Alli responded to that by showing that there is nothing quite as intoxicating as a confident young footballer trying to impose himself. Two minutes after the re-start, Alli barged through Pogba, leaving him on the floor, before playing a clever pass to Raheem Sterling in the inside-left channel. Sterling crossed to Rooney, whose far-post volley was too powerful for Lloris.

Pogba, after the early embarrassment, started to show his class in midfield, spraying passes and curling a right-foot shot just onto the roof of the net. He provided a sharp back-heel to Anthony Martial, whose shot was blocked by Jack Butland, and became the dominant player in the second half. France, understandably, were not playing at full pelt.

Olivier Giroud soon followed Pogba off the bench, and was then followed by Lassana Diarra and Antoine Griezmann, touched in different ways by Friday night, each given their own warm applause.

There were no more meaningful football actions in the game, if any took place at all. Dele Alli was given a standing ovation when replaced by Phil Jones with two minutes left, and applauded again when he was named man of the match. Much of the crowd had filed out by the time the final whistle went. They had paid their respects and made their tributes long before.