France, Nov. 14 -- A minute's silence was held at the Parc des Princes before kick-off in tribute to the victims of the terrorist attacks around Paris and in the northern suburb of Saint Denis on 13 November 2015.

The scrupulously observed moment, one of several salutes across the city on Thursday, was applauded around the ground by the 41,000 fans.

The solemnity seeped into the hosts' play.France enjoyed the lion's share of the ball but laboured to penetrate a doughty Ukrainian rearguard.

And Ukraine's rugged tactics appeared to be on the verge of bearing fruit just after the pause when referee Slavko Vincic reviewed the pitchside monitor to check a possible penalty for the visitors.

A deluge of goals followed their disappointment. ...