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JOLEON LESCOTT’S powerful header ensured England got their Euro 2012 campaign off to a steady start.
The Man City defender clinically put away Steven Gerrard’s expert free-kick to give Roy Hodgson’s men the lead with half an hour played.
The advantage did not last long however, as Samir Nasri equalised nine minutes later with a fizzing shot from the edge of the area.
Both sides had their chances to grab a winner but also seemed happy to take a point in the opening game of Group D in Donetsk, Ukraine.
Three Lions skipper Gerrard said he would take a point before the game so this was very much a case of job done.
Hodgson sprung a surprise when he picked Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in his starting line-up ahead of Stewart Downing.
And the 18-year-old Arsenal star didn’t let his manager down, showing some exciting touches early on.
But France were looking dangerous too, with Karim Benzema, Nasri and Franck Ribery all causing problems.
Goalkeeper Joe Hart looked a little nervy as he fumbled a corner with 10 minutes played, while Nasri placed a shot just wide moments later.
England then had a fabulous chance to take the lead with Scott Parker and Ashley Young combing superbly to play in James Milner.
The Man City man raced through and rounded keeper Hugo Lloris, but unfortunately was unable to find the target, shooting wide of the unguarded goal.
The French were keeping the ball nicely but offering little more than stinging shots from distance, before Hodgson’s men took the lead with half an hour played.
Patrice Evra brought down James Milner wide out on the right and a free-kick was awarded.
Steven Gerrard whipped in a set-piece that David Beckham would have been proud of and Lescott eagerly tucked the ball past Lloris with a thumping header.
Five minutes later, the scenario almost repeated itself although this time it was at the other end of the field.
Oxlade-Chamberlain gave away a free-kick which Nasri delivered with pinpoint accuracy, allowing Alou Diarra to power a header goalwards.
Luckily for England, Hart reacted brilliantly to turn the ball into the air.
Ribery turned the rebound back into the six-yard box but again Diarra failed to score as he nodded wide.
It was a let-off for England but just four minutes later, they proved less fortunate.
France worked the ball well around the area before the ball eventually reached Nasri.
The creative ace took one touch and then whipped the ball into the corner of the net, giving his City colleague Hart no chance.
Benzema threatened to put France ahead before half-time when he fired a dangerous shot goal-wards but Hart was equal to it.
There were few chances in the first 20 minutes of the second half as both teams cautiously build up attacks.
Benzema found himself increasingly isolated up top and the Real Madrid man showed his frustration with a fizzing shot from distance that stung Hart’s hands.
England were happy to give more and more possession to their opponents as the half wore on.
Hodgson waited until the 77th minute to change things up as Jermain Defoe came on for Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jordan Henderson replaced Scott Parker.
England hearts were in mouths as Yohan Cabaye hit a sweet volley from the edge of the area which was deflected just wide from Welbeck’s flick.
Laurent Blanc waited even longer to make his substitutions as Hatem Ben Arfa and Marvin Martin were introduced with five minutes to play.
But it was England who looked the more threatening in the final minutes as Milner’s dangerous centre was only cleared by some last-ditch defending.
Benzema fired in another stinging effort late on but Hart handled comfortably before the final whistle blew.
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