Goals from Dele Alli and Wayne Rooney help England to beat France 2-0 on a night when the people inside Wembley paid tribute to the victims of the Paris attacks.

England claimed a 2-0 victory over France on a night when players, coaches and supporters paid tribute to the victims of the Paris attacks.

The two sides joined for a minute's silence and a show of solidarity prior to the game just days after the attacks which took the lives of 129 people in the French capital.

England and France squad members observe a minute's silence before the start of the friendly football match between England and France at Wembley Stadium in west London on November 17, 2015 © Getty Images

It was England who settled the better when the match got underway, with Hugo Lloris sending a clearance straight to Harry Kane, whose cross was cut out before it could reach Wayne Rooney.

France struggled to put the England defence under pressure for extended spells, but the visitors did threaten when Anthony Martial came inside from the left to beat Nathaniel Clyne and fire a low shot straight at Joe Hart.

Rooney was regularly involved on his return to the team and he came close to the opening goal when he collected a pass from Kane on the break before slicing his effort just beyond the post.

The deadlock was broken six minutes before the interval when Dele Alli, who was making his full international debut, broke free from midfield and beat Tottenham Hotspur teammate Lloris with an unstoppable 25-yard strike.

England's midfielder Dele Alli (R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the friendly football match between England and France at Wembley Stadium in west London on November 17, 2015 © Getty Images

Boosted by the moment of brilliance heading into the break, England emerged full of confidence at the start of the second half to quickly find a second goal.

Alli was involved once again as he won the ball in midfield before releasing Raheem Sterling, whose cross from the left was volleyed home by Rooney at the back post.

Wayne Rooney of England celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the International Friendly match between England and France at Wembley Stadium on November 17, 2015 © Getty Images

France's sluggish start to the second half was almost punished by another goal as Kane created space for a shot from outside the box, but Lloris was relieved as he watched the effort drift just wide.

Frequent changes made an impact on the game, with France beginning to threaten again as substitute Paul Pogba curled just over, before Martial linked up with the Juventus midfielder to test Jack Butland, who replaced Hart at the half-time interval.

England coped well, though, and it was a much-improved display from Roy Hodgson's side as they kept the ball impressively after losing to Spain on Friday night.

Despite Pogba asking regular questions of the England defenders, the closing stages comfortable for the hosts as France failed to set up a dramatic finish on a night when events before the game attracted much of the attention.