Lescott and Nasri trade goals as France and England draw 1-1 in their Euro 2012 opener

DONETSK, Ukraine – England held on for a 1-1 draw with France on Monday at the European Championship, giving the Group D favourites one point each.

Joleon Lescott put England in the lead with a header in the 30th minute, and Samir Nasri levelled shortly before halftime with a strike into the bottom corner.

Midfielder Yohan Cabaye and striker Karim Benzema almost won the match for France with late efforts, but the draw means France has still not won a match at a major tournament since the 2006 World Cup.

France midfielder Alou Diarra and England midfielder James Milner both came close to scoring in the first half.