England and France paid tribute to the victims of the Paris attacks before Dele Alli's strike earned the hosts a 1-0 half-time lead.
Neither side were able to dominate in the early stages, but England were almost gifted the opening goal when Hugo Lloris sent a clearance straight to Harry Kane, whose cross was cleared before Wayne Rooney could add the finishing touch in the box.
France remained disciplined in defence and midfield, but the visitors did create a decent opportunity when Anthony Martial cut inside from the left to beat Nathaniel Clyne before testing Joe Hart with a low strike.
It continued to be England who looked the more likely to find the opening goal, however, as Harry Kane led a break to find the run of Rooney, who sliced his shot just beyond the top corner.
A moment of brilliance handed the advantage to England six minutes before the break as Alli, making his first start for England, used space in midfield to pick out the top corner with an unstoppable long-range strike.
Raheem Sterling could have doubled the lead when he skipped a challenge in the box, but his deflected effort drifted just past the post as England finished the first half strongly.
