Special By By Kev Hedges Nov 18, 2010 in Sports Wembley - Fabio Capello's England lost at Wembley to France in a friendly international football game some had billed as "the battle of the World Cup flops". England, overwhelmed by injuries to their best players, didn't have an answer to France's experience. Al Lloyd, watching at the bar, moaned, "I'm still disappointed with England's showing at the World Cup! They had impressed so well in qualification to get there, only to let the whole nation down, and despite a good start to the next competition in Euro 2012, the feel-good factor just ain't there!" England fielded Ben Foster in goal, normally a third choice keeper but standing in for the injured Joe Hart who aggravated his back in training - and four youngsters across the defence, many of whom have had little or no experience at international level. But the inclusion of midfielder Jordan Henderson in the starting lineup alongside the brilliant Theo Walcott, world class Steven Gerrard and steady but unexciting Gareth Barry had one fan screaming "Who?" Rob Delvie said, "We don't have a chance in hell, we are fielding a forward [Andy Carroll] who has never played at international level before". Newcastle United's Carroll, with his long hair in a pony tail, battled hard up front, but with France too strong across the rest of the field, he was offered little feed from the midfield, as the BBC's The few fans watching at the bar were quick to say "I told you so!" when French superiority saw attacker Karim Benzema sweep France into a 1-0 lead after just 16-minutes. The goal did not inspire England and all their inexperience to find a way to claw back into the game and grab an equaliser. In fact France, looking every bit a rejuvenated side, began spraying the ball around the park with precision and style. Al Lloyd, moaned, "that Henderson bloke is totally out of his league". Some fans began to moan about manager Fabio Capello, who has already announced he will quit as England coach after the Euro 2012 finals in 19 months from now. "He's just playing out his final months and picking up his fat Half Time - England 0 France 1 Speaking to a friend via mobile phone, who attended the game at Wembley during half time, Ray Hill said, "England are rubbish so far, they seem stagnant and uninterested. Most of the fans here seem to be kids. In a rare attack on the French goal the cheers were very high pitched" Bobby Moore bar beside Wembley stadium. Games are shown here but drinks are not cheap. Kev Hedges In the second half Capello had dragged off the ineffective but experienced Rio Ferdinand and replaced him with Micah Richards. Theo Walcott and Gareth Barry were also replaced by Adam Johnson and Ashley Young respectively. Al Lloyd said "It's a like for like substitution, it will have no effect, we have just replaced three rubbish players with another three incompetents" England's attempts to revive a dull, damp first half with the new blood in the second half were quickly extinguished when just ten minutes into the half a sweeping move by Sagna who crossed invitingly for Valbuena to time his run perfectly and glide a finish low into the corner beyond Foster. England 0 France 2 There was still 35 minutes remaining but apathy had struck many watching punters, some had left, many had simply begun playing fruit machines or had wondered outside for a smoke. Then on 62 minutes Steven Gerrard came very close to pulling a goal back for England but his header landed on top of the net. His club Liverpool had urged Capello not to play him for more than 60 minutes as he was carrying an injury and the club wanted him fit for the weekend game against West Ham this Saturday teatime. Gerrard played 84 minutes in the end and reports in the BBC Sport this afternoon have confirmed that a hamstring injury was sustained in last night's game, and the player will be sidelined for Peter Crouch replaced Gerrard and the beanpole striker took just two minutes to score a goal for England, in the 86th minute after a well placed corner found him lurking at the back post unmarked. But it was to be no more than a consolation goal as the final score of England 1 France 2 actually flattered the home side. The England lineup raised a few eyebrows at the small crowd gathered at The Proverbial , on Old Stevenage High Street. The game televised on terrestrial channel itv1 meant many had decided to watch at home. In truth, even before the game began some where dismissing England's chances of a morale-boosting victory over the old Gallic enemy.Al Lloyd, watching at the bar, moaned, "I'm still disappointed with England's showing at the World Cup! They had impressed so well in qualification to get there, only to let the whole nation down, and despite a good start to the next competition in Euro 2012, the feel-good factor just ain't there!"England fielded Ben Foster in goal, normally a third choice keeper but standing in for the injured Joe Hart who aggravated his back in training - and four youngsters across the defence, many of whom have had little or no experience at international level. But the inclusion of midfielder Jordan Henderson in the starting lineup alongside the brilliant Theo Walcott, world class Steven Gerrard and steady but unexciting Gareth Barry had one fan screaming "Who?"Rob Delvie said, "We don't have a chance in hell, we are fielding a forward [Andy Carroll] who has never played at international level before". Newcastle United's Carroll, with his long hair in a pony tail, battled hard up front, but with France too strong across the rest of the field, he was offered little feed from the midfield, as the BBC's Phil McNulty agreed.The few fans watching at the bar were quick to say "I told you so!" when French superiority saw attacker Karim Benzema sweep France into a 1-0 lead after just 16-minutes. The goal did not inspire England and all their inexperience to find a way to claw back into the game and grab an equaliser. In fact France, looking every bit a rejuvenated side, began spraying the ball around the park with precision and style. Al Lloyd, moaned, "that Henderson bloke is totally out of his league".Some fans began to moan about manager Fabio Capello, who has already announced he will quit as England coach after the Euro 2012 finals in 19 months from now. "He's just playing out his final months and picking up his fat salary , winding down his career, with no future planning in mind for the England team", cried Mr Delvie.Speaking to a friend via mobile phone, who attended the game at Wembley during half time, Ray Hill said, "England are rubbish so far, they seem stagnant and uninterested. Most of the fans here seem to be kids. In a rare attack on the French goal the cheers were very high pitched"In the second half Capello had dragged off the ineffective but experienced Rio Ferdinand and replaced him with Micah Richards. Theo Walcott and Gareth Barry were also replaced by Adam Johnson and Ashley Young respectively. Al Lloyd said "It's a like for like substitution, it will have no effect, we have just replaced three rubbish players with another three incompetents"England's attempts to revive a dull, damp first half with the new blood in the second half were quickly extinguished when just ten minutes into the half a sweeping move by Sagna who crossed invitingly for Valbuena to time his run perfectly and glide a finish low into the corner beyond Foster.There was still 35 minutes remaining but apathy had struck many watching punters, some had left, many had simply begun playing fruit machines or had wondered outside for a smoke. Then on 62 minutes Steven Gerrard came very close to pulling a goal back for England but his header landed on top of the net. His club Liverpool had urged Capello not to play him for more than 60 minutes as he was carrying an injury and the club wanted him fit for the weekend game against West Ham this Saturday teatime. Gerrard played 84 minutes in the end and reports in the BBC Sport this afternoon have confirmed that a hamstring injury was sustained in last night's game, and the player will be sidelined for four weeks Peter Crouch replaced Gerrard and the beanpole striker took just two minutes to score a goal for England, in the 86th minute after a well placed corner found him lurking at the back post unmarked. But it was to be no more than a consolation goal as the final score of England 1 France 2 actually flattered the home side. More about Soccer, England, France, Football More news from soccer england france football