Valbuena 55

Fabio Capello suffered his first Wembley defeat as England manager when his makeshift selection was outclassed for much of this friendly international.

France’s fluid passing game dominated early on, and they created three good chances before taking a 16^th-minute lead.

Ben Foster saved the best of the three – a stinging 25-yard drive from Yoann Gourcuff on 12 minutes.

But he was beaten at his near post four minutes later by Karim Benzema’s low left-foot drive after a neat one-two with Florent Malouda.

Hard-working debutant Andy Carroll headed the ball down for Steven Gerrard to blaze over England’s best first-half chance in the 29^th minute.

But a re-jigged England line-up after half-time conceded a second goal on 55 minutes.

Arsenal’s Bacary Sagna finding room behind Gunners colleague Kieron Gibbs down England’s left before crossing for the late-arriving Mathieu Valbuena to side-foot the ball past Foster.

Gerrard headed against the top of the crossbar and flashed a right-foot shot wide for an improving England. But Nasri struck the outside of the post with a thumping right-foot shot on 83 minutes.

Three minutes later, Peter Crouch volleyed home Ashley Young’s corner for England’s consolation goal – his first touch after replacing the hobbling Gerrard.