Night when players regained affection of French fans

For France, this was about more than trying to win a football match. This glorious sporting occasion in Marseilles represented a chance to restore the pride and faith of a nation.

It was during a friendly between the hosts and the Germans last November that one of three suicide bombers near the Stade de France triggered a series of terror attacks that killed 130 people and left a nation in mourning.

Far less significant, of course, was the exit of the French from the World Cup six years ago when they went on strike and returned home winless and in shame.