What a start for new team manager, Alf Ramsey! Out of the Nations Cup, conceding five goals for the first time since May 1958, and giving a general display that would give Ramsey many headaches. In fact, the scoreline is a little misleading, and it was all a bit closer than at first you would believe.

The first half was a complete disaster from England's viewpoint. As early as the third minute France were a goal up. A flick by Goujon was turned in by the outside-right Wisnieski. On the half-hour it was 2-0 when Wisnieski turned goal maker as his cross was turned in by the star of the night, Douis. The French inside-left took a grip on the match early on and never let go. His artistry was most impressive.

England worked hard enough but there was little evidence of teamwork. Bobby Charlton and Jimmy Greaves showed flashes of their individual skills but there was no cohesion as Ron Flowers, Bobby Moore and Bobby Smith all did their own thing. John Connelly and Bobby Tambling were rarely in the game at all.

Whilst all this was going on Ron Springett, ao often the saviour for his side, was enduring a nightmare in England's goal. Several moments of indecision had given his defence a scare and just before the interval he made another costly error. Goujon's cross was totally lost by Springett and Coussou was able to take advantage to score with ease. It was a very dejected England side that trooped off at half-time.

Somewhere under the stands of the Parc de Princes stadium, Mr Ramsey must have had plenty to say to the players at the interval. It was obvious his words must have had an effect because after the play restarted England, at last, began to turn their undoubted hard work into more tangible reward. Almost immediately Greaves was unlucky when his shot hit the French post following a cross by Bobby Moore. England kept improving and on the hour they pulled a goal back.

It was a good goal, too, with Smith rising well to head Greaves' cross wide of Bernard. Fifteen minutes later what had seemed impossible suddenly seemed probable as England reduced the arrears further. Charlton took a corner from the left and up went Tambling to make his one telling contribution scoring with a neat header.

At this point it seemed odds on that this tremendous recovery would be completed. Alas for England, France had other ideas and at last woke up again to the dangers they faced. Within moments of Tambling's goal, the score went from 2-3 to 2-5 and again, sadly, Springett must take most of the blame. A shot from Wisnieski rebounded from the England 'keeper's body to Coussou who returned it to Wisnieski who then had another try. This time he was successful. Within seconds it was five as this time Coussou took a pass from the intelligent Douis to flick it over Springett and lob France to a slightly flattering scoreline.

England, despite a considerable amount of possession, lacked enough thought in the vital areas and on the day they had a goalkeeper who had one of those days all goalkeepers dread.
  

Alf Ramsey's first match - a European championship qualifier - was a personal nightmare for goalkeeper Ron Springett. He was responsible for three of the French goals, his most costly error coming after England had pulled back from 3-0 to 3-2 with goals from Bobby Tambling and the recalled Bobby Smith. Springett, a man of character and charm, did not try to make any excuses, but Ramsey pointed out that he had been kicked in the ribs when conceding the first goal. He was also troubled by the floodlights in the Parc des Princes stadium. Ron Henry, Tottenham's skilful left-back, had an uncomfortable night against flying French winger Wisnieski in his one and only England appearance. Interestingly, just two of the team - Bobby Moore and Bobby Charlton - would survive to play a part in the 1966 World Cup final. Ron Springett was second string goalkeeper in the '66 squad, and was later involved in a unique swap deal with his goalkeeping brother Peter .... Ron going to Sheffield Wednesday, with Peter going in exchange to QPR.
  

Source Notes

TheFA.com
FFF.fr
Allezlesbleus.free.fr
UEFA.com
Original newspaper reports
Rothman's Yearbooks
Mike Payne's England: The Complete Post-War Record (Breedon Books Publishing Company, Derby, U.K., 1993)
Norman Giller, Football Author
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CG