Ribéry hits the spot for France

France 1-0 England

Deserved winner
FC Bayern München winger Ribéry proved the pick of the players at Stade de France and deserved to get his name on the scoresheet, albeit from the spot. England, meanwhile, continued their transitional phase in their second game under Fabio Capello but, having failed to reach UEFA EURO 2008™, have until FIFA World Cup qualifying in September to regroup.

Heroes return
The return of two stalwarts stole the headlines for both teams prior to kick-off. David Trezeguet started up front for France for the first time since September following his last-minute recall while David Beckham, excluded for Capello's debut as England manager in February, was restored to win his 100th cap.

Penalty
It was France who began the brighter and Nicolas Anelka came close as he got his head to Ribéry's free-kick. At the other end Beckham was unfortunate not to connect with Ashley Cole's deflected cross at the far post, while Rio Ferdinand, taking his turn as captain as Capello assesses the candidates, headed back a corner only for Steven Gerrard to turn it over. However, the home side broke the deadlock when England goalkeeper David James brought down the advancing Anelka and Ribéry coolly converted.

Changes
England made four changes at half-time with Michael Owen and Peter Crouch among those introduced, yet it was their Premier League rival Anelka who nearly struck on a swift counterattack only to drag the ball wide. Beckham and Trezeguet were both withdrawn not long after the hour, but Les Bleus finished strong, Ribéry forcing James into a save and substitute Djibril Cissé shooting wide. France return to pre-UEFA EURO 2008™ action on 27 May against Ecuador in Grenoble before taking on Paraguay and Colombia.