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And suddenly the French come alive in the final third.

The irrepressible N'Golo Kante slipping a pass through to Benjamin Pavard, whose low cross is blocked.

From the resulting corner, Manchester United midfielder mis-times his leap and shoulders an effort over.

Quite a turnaround for a few players on show today.

Karim Benzema, Adrien Rabiot, Mats Hummels and Thomas Muller - all discarded by their respective teams at one point or another but offered a second chance.

Some instructions for those in attendance at Allianz Arena.

Meanwhile, Didier Deschamps needs to tell his men to wake up a little.

Image source, Getty Images

Dion Dublin
Former Man Utd and Aston Villa striker on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live

There is a healthy respect between the teams at the moment.

No goalmouth action to speak of, Germany seeing plenty of the ball but it's all sideways and back.

Tepid opening to this heavyweight clash, more jabs than blows.

Germany have been the more energetic on home turf in Munich but France will surely grow into the contest.

Referee Carlos del Cerro Grande taking no nonsense, it seems.

An early booking for Joshua Kimmich for a late lunge on Lucas Hernandez.

We've played five minutes and France haven't had a touch of the ball yet!

Dion Dublin
Former Man Utd and Aston Villa striker on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live

It was a difficult header that for Mats Hummels. I have been in that position many times and it is hard to get the power and direction.

Germany, underdogs (?), have made a good start, Toni Kroos whipping in a free-kick which Mats Hummels heads over.

The masked Antonio Rudiger looking menacing.

He's up against Karim Benzema tonight, that should be a terrific battle.

Saving the best group game til last.

Away we go in Munich.

Wayne Ellis: This has got 1-1 written all over it.

Dave Payn: Germany a close second behind Italy for teams' national anthem Eurovision.

Goosebumps when the cymbals crashed together during the German anthem.

The Euros have truly arrived.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live

Former Germany Under-21 international and assistant manager of RB Leipzig, Moritz Volz, speaking on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live: "I see six Champions League winners in the last two seasons in the Germany side compared to three in the France side.

"The quality is there. I don't go into the game thinking, 'oh I hope we don't get battered' because I do not see that happening.

"I still see us ahead of Portugal. I am confident this team has what it takes to get to the semi-finals. That would be a successful tournament."

We're winning even before a ball has been kicked, two outstanding national anthems on show.

La Marseillaise followed by the German one.

Image source, Reuters

´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live

Former Germany World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger, speaking on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live: "With Thomas Muller and Mats Hummels, Joachim Low showed he was only looking forward and looking for success.

"A successful tournament would be for the national team to bring back the trust of supporters. This team is a question mark.

"They can beat France and Portugal, they are strong enough. The question is do they have the right attitude and are they mentally strong enough."

VN CA: France look so strong - I fear for Germany. There is a very good chance that this could be the GER-BRA World Cup Semi-final a la 2014. Germany look too old for me.