Source Notes

By the time the world champions came to Wembley, Hoddle was no longer in charge of the home team. Howard Wilkinson, The F.A.'s Technical Director, stepped into the breach.  The French conjured up some breathtaking football, particularly in the second period, which must have left England feeling outclassed.  It was Arsenal's Nicolas Anelka who won the game with some smart finishing.

England had played with control and confidence in the early minutes.  France's World Cup goalkeeper, Barthez, made a classy save from a close-range Michael Owen effort after a typical Shearer knockdown and then made a successful grab for Beckham's curling free-kick.  From England's best chance Keown volleyed badly wide from ten yards.  Then France began to assert themselves, parading their impressive range of passing.  And it was European and World Player of the Year, Zinedine Zidane, who was pulling the strings.

Just after the hour the midfield maestro put a perfect pass into Anelka's stride and the Gunners star crashed a shot against the underside of the bar and out.  Replays later showed that a goal should have been given.  But the youngster, still only 19, was in irresistible form and would not be denied.  On 68 minutes he ran onto another Zidane peach to rifle the ball past Martyn, England's substitute 'keeeper, and eight minutes later he turned in Dugarry's left-wing cross for 2-0.

England, apparently, had no heart for a fight.  France exploited some lapses in concentration on the part of their opponents to run the show.  The home team found it hard to get the ball and to make matters worse, there were knocks for Keown (hamstring) and Dixon (Concussion).  England needed a pick-me-up - and soon.  - The Official F.A. and England Yearbook 1999-2000.

TheFA.com
FFF.fr
Allezlesbleus.free.fr
Original newspaper reports
Official Programme
Rothman's Yearbooks
F.A. Yearbook
additional information - Steve Rooke
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CG