Euro 2012: Match Report - England vs France

France 1-1 England: (Lescott 30′, Nasri 39′)

Line Ups

Champ of the Match: Samir Nasri

Doesn’t always shower himself in glory, but excellent Nasri was certainly the star of the show tonight. Nasri began the game brightly, doing an impressive chip to Benzema which was acrobatically cleared by Terry. Nasri did score, equalising after a Lescott header. The goal was a quick piece of inter-play from France, which teed up Nasri who managed to just beat Hart to his near post.

Nasri dazzled throughout the match, and was, by statistics, the most influential player.

Chump of the Match: James Milner

Regular upon the England team, and an established right midfielder. A Solid performer, but Milner failed to convert the easiest chance in the match. Within 20 minutes of the match, England were breaking. Young, on the ball running with pace, sees Milner making a run behind the French back four. Young plays him in, Milner rounds the keeper and with an open goal, Milner manages to hit the side-netting.

Awful miss. Probably the worst miss during the Euros yet.

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli

Awful display from this referee. Missed many clear fouls. Impeding? This referee doesn’t know the meaning of the word. Utter ridiculousness! The French purposely carried on kicking ankles, and obstructing England players because the referee was never going to give it.

Penalised a excellent sliding challenge by Henderson. This referee is a disgrace, completely clueless, I have no idea what he is doing here.

Italy’s best referee? Pfft.

Tweets of the Match @Arsenal49er – Henderson and Defoe – can’t say Hodgson’s bowing to popular opinion.

@hahostolze – Laurent Blanc is very overrated. Playing Malouda anywhere else than on the wing is crazy.

@samuelj29060 – Effects of a long season taking toll on Parker. Gerrard trying too many Hollywood passes.

@c_Arsenal – England should consider swapping Chamberlain and Milner over. Milner would track back and stop Debuchy’s runs.

@CainTalksFooty (me) – This referee has been awful. Missing clear fouls. France are purposely impeding us now.What to expect next for France and England

France are likely to be disappointed with just a draw against a England with no Ferdinand, Lampard and Rooney. Still likely to go through. England will be delighted with a draw today. If they can rack up the goals against Sweden and Ukraine, they could qualify top, which would be a big success.Written by Cain O’BennettFollow me on Twitter @CainTalksFootyCheck out his wonderful site, Euro 2012 BloggerPlease like O-Posts on FacebookFollow the site on Twitter