England fans joined their French counterparts in roaring out a spine-tingling rendition of the visitors’ Marseillaise national anthem before their friendly international which the hosts won 2-0 at Wembley last night.

The supporters also impeccably observed a minute’s silence to honour the victims of the Paris attacks on Friday ahead of a match that will be remembered more for the symbolic nature of the occasion than for the action on the pitch.

Played just four days after the Islamic State’s assault in Paris left 129 people dead, the English fans, along with the away supporters, showed remarkable dignity and respect.

On the field, after France appeared to settle first, almost relieved that the pre-match observations were over, England held the upper hand and took a grip on the game with goals from man of the match Dele Alli and Wayne Rooney either side of halftime.

Young midfielder Alli, winning his fourth cap for England and making his first start, blasted the ball past his Tottenham Hotspur club goalkeeper and France skipper Hugo Lloris for his first international goal after 39 minutes.

Rooney doubled England’s lead in the 48th minute after Alli, who started the move, found Raheem Sterling who crossed for Rooney to volley home his 51st international goal.

Germany’s international friendly against Holland was called off at late notice yesterday evening after a warning that it would be targeted by terrorists.

The German national team were caught up in the attacks on Paris on Friday, with explosions heard outside the Stade de France during their friendly against France as suicide bombers detonated devices.

Germany’s federal minister of the interior, Thomas de Maiziere, did not detail the threat in Hanover.

“I would just like to ask the German public to trust us, the Interior Ministry, that we had good reasons to make this decision, but it does not help for us to provide any further details,” he said.

Italy conceded a late goal to draw 2-2 with Romania, as doubts remained about their title-winning credentials ahead of Euro 2016.

The home side fell behind to Bogdan Stancu’s eighth-minute opener, but equalised after 55 minutes when Claudio Marchisio scored a penalty after Eder had been brought down by Dragos Grigore.

Romania have not lost since June 2014 and, despite going 2-1 behind when substitute Manolo Gabbiadini scored with a close-range header in the 65th, they extended their unbeaten run when Florin Andone equalised in the 88th minute.

Summaries

Austria 1
Alaba 13;
Switzerland 2
Seferovic 9, 38;

Azerbaijan 2
Carp 33 og; Ramazanov 50;
Moldova 1
Antoniuc 44;

Belgium p
Spain p

England 2
Alli 39; Rooney 48;
France 0

Estonia 3
Antonov 29; Vassiljev 50; Puri 57;
St Kitts 0

Germany p
Netherlands p

Italy 2
Marchisio 55 pen; Gabbiadini 65;
Romania 2
Stancu 8; Andone 88;

Luxembourg 0
Portugal 2
Andre 31; Nani 88;

Macedonia 0
Lebanon 1
Oumari 47;

Poland 3
Milik 3; Jodlowiec 12; Grosicki 70;
Czech Rep. 1
Krejci 41;

Russia 1
Smolov 14;
Croatia 3
Kalinic 57; Brozovic 60; Mandzukic 82;

Slovakia 3
Mak 58, 61; Duris 84;
Iceland 1
Finnbogason 8;

Turkey 0
Greece 0