England manager Roy Hodgson praised the Football Association and French Football Federation for providing a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives in last week's Paris terror attacks ahead of his team's match with France on Tuesday at Wembley.
His team's 2-0 victory over France took a back seat to a pre-match remembrance of those who lost their lives. Players and officials, including His Royal Highness Prince William, took part in a pre-match ceremony which ended with players from the two teams mixing together for a minute's silence.
"It was a very poignant occasion, it was really everything I expected it to be," said Hodgson. "I thought the way they set up the remembrance service before the game started was very, very well done. I thought the players getting together after the minute's silence, all the things we wanted to achieve, were achieved in that moment.
"I've already received some text messages from some French people I know. They thought tonight was a very good occasion for their country. England can be proud to have put this event on. It wasn't us who pushed the French FA to do this. It was their decision to say an act of defiance was more important."
Hodgson continued: "We were focused on showing the respect, solidarity and unity we really wanted to express, and then, after the whistle blew, to play football."
He revealed that he had been aware of the cancellation of Germany's friendly with Netherlands in Hannover. "We were aware but we had faith in the security measures here and that the game would go ahead without incident," he said. "Wembley is quite safe."
Goals from Dele Alli and Wayne Rooney won the match itself, and Hodgson reserved special praise for Spurs youngster Alli, who scored a spectacular goal from long distance in the first half.
"It was close to a faultless performance," said Hodgson "You can't get as much of the ball as he had without missing a pass or a tackle but I don't think he was anything other than top class at any stage of the game. I thought he was quite outstanding. He deserves a lot of praise for that performance."