France 1 England 1

With the lowest expectation of any English squad for decades, Roy Hodgson sent out his first competitive eleven to face the French. Two years ago both countries suffered the ignominy of an early flight home from South Africa and, if anything, it looked like the French were in the worst state. Not only had they failed miserably on the pitch, but their squad had followed Patrice Evra's lead in a mutiny after Anelka's expulsion by, then coach, Raymond Domenech.

Now, under the guidance of Laurent Blanc, they look a nation reborn. Unbeaten since a shock defeat by Bosnia in September 2010, Blanc has put a team together that looks capable of getting to the latter stages of the competition. England, on the other hand, have lurched from one problem to the next culminating in the untimely exit of Fabio Capello and the FA's refusal to appoint a successor until just six weeks ago.

As always when two of the more famous sides meet at a tournament, statistics are bandied about to prove this and prove that. We've been told that England haven't beaten the French since 1997 and that, incredibly, France haven't won a match at the Euros without Zidane or Platini. At least Hodgson could be fairly certain neither of those two would be playing in Donetsk.

There was, however, one surprise inclusion but it came in the English side. A Hodgson team rarely uses an attack minded winger; preferring to have a hard working player who can tuck into what Roy calls the 'pockets'. Instead Downing was omitted for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain showing an unusual but welcome attacking intent. For the French, Blanc played what could be the best front three in the tournament with Ribery and Nasri supporting Benzema.

It didn't take long for the French to settle into their rhythm; passing the ball comfortably through their midfield. England, as expected, sat deep and invited their opponents onto them and restricted space where they could. With Chamberlain as their most obvious outlet, England tried to break with pace when they could and, after just fifteen minutes they should have been in front. Ashley Young found space to thread a superb pass through a static pass and Milner, played onside by the sleeping Evra, went around Lloris before shooting into the side netting.

Growing more confident, England went in front on 30 minutes. Gerrard was given two attempts to deliver a free kick from the right touchline and his second was inch perfect for the unmarked Lescott to head his first international goal. It was the perfect scoreline for a Hodgson team and one which had secured victory for England in his first two matches. On this occasion, however, it wasn't to be. Nasri, who was slowly exerting more influence over the play, found space on the left nine minutes later and, with the English far too deep, was able to take aim and fire low past club mate Hart.

The second half was a cagey affair with England falling deeper and deeper by the minute. Despite this the French had lost a lot of the zest that they had played with before the break and struggled, therefore, to get behind the English lines. As usual the Three Lions had plenty of heart but, more often then not, a lack of quality where it mattered. Chamberlain, for example, showed he had the touches required to unlock defences but too often he received the ball thirty yards from his own goal.

The heat in Donetsk began to play a part as the game entered the final quarter. English players especially were struggling with the pace of the game - despite playing most of it in their own half - and the fresh legs of Defoe and U21 Captain Henderson were needed. It was clear by now that Hodgson was more than happy with a point and soon the French seemed to accept the inevitable too. With matches against Sweden and Ukraine to come, both teams will be hoping that one point here was enough.