Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on Monday became the second youngest player to play for England in the European championship, behind a certain Wayne Rooney.
Under Roy Hodgson, England have been drilled into a compact unit, very difficult to break down in the final third; in the mould of European champions Chelsea. In fact for much of the match against France, England looked like the Chelsea team and France resembled Barcelona as the game bore a very similar pattern to the Champions League semi-final second leg.
The only bright spots for England in attack were two young forwards -- Oxlade-Chamberlain and Manchester United's Danny Welbeck. Both were making their first competitive appearance in a major championship and did not look overawed by the situation.
Welbeck, preferred for Andy Carroll, justified his selection with a busy performance and if England had been able to have more possession, Welbeck would have certainly given the France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris something to think about.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been tipped for greatness by many. Arsenal supporters and the fans of the English Premier League have seen the 18-year-old put in one fearless performance after another against some of the biggest clubs in the world. On Monday against France, one of the favorites for the title, the teenager showed glimpses of his immense potential.
"Yeah (it was a surprise to be picked), everything's just coming to me as a surprise at the moment," he told ITV after the game.
"But I have to remind myself that I was one of the initial players picked for the squad. I'm here to do this job and, when called, I've got to make sure I'm ready.
"Obviously I'm delighted to get the call and then you've just got to get your mind around the game."
The Arsenal midfielder is at his best when he is running at people; and it was evident he had been told by Hodgson to play as direct as possible whenever he had possession. In the few instances he did get service, Oxlade-Chamberlain put France right back Mathieu Debuchy or the defensive midfielder Alou Diarra, who otherwise had outstanding games, under pressure.
A burst right through the heart of France's midfield, was reminiscent of his performance against AC Milan in the Champions League - his best game in an Arsenal shirt so far.
Oxlade-Chamberlain also showed his maturity, despite being a teenager, sticking to the game plan set out by Hodgson.
"I think I did okay. I think it was a bit frustrating at times for me to get space and do what I like to do and run at people and find space out wide.
"But we like to play compact and I think we had to against a good French team who almost overloaded the midfield.
"Obviously I'm delighted to represent my country and I gave everything, but tonight wasn't about me, it was about the team and getting a good result.
"Against a good French side we'll take a draw, we'll move on and we'll get something from there."
If England are to find a few goals here and there, they can't just rely on set-pieces. The creativity of Oxlade-Chamberlain and the finishing prowess of Welbeck will have to come into play; even with Wayne Rooney in the line-up.