A brief look at how those involved in this week's international friendlies reacted, with both England manager Fabio Capello and centurion David Beckham remaining upbeat despite defeat in Paris.

France 1-0 England

Raymond Domenech: "I wanted a tough match against a top-class team and I got it.

"The English showed some good things and it was more of a thinking man's game than a spectacular one."

Fabio Capello: "I told the players I am happy we made progress compared to Switzerland, even though we won that game.

"I'm very happy about David Beckham. He played like I know how he can play. I only substituted him because I wanted to see other players and I know Beckham as a player very well.

"I'm happy that the team showed they didn't want to lose the game. They played right to the end. This was most positive thing considering the level of the opponent."

David Beckham: "The most important thing for me was to prove my fitness and I felt that I did that. I felt very fresh and a lot better than I thought I would.

"I spoke in the week about how honoured I would be to get to the 100-cap mark and I'm very proud. To achieve 100 caps doesn't happen every day and to have my family at the game, and the support of the fans, was incredible.

"The reception when I came off from both sets of fans was amazing. You obviously expect it off your own fans and I thank them for that but from the French people as well, it was an amazing standing ovation."

Scotland 1-1 Croatia

George Burley: "Croatia are one of the top teams in Europe and we had to work very hard, which we did.

"We are now in the build-up to the World Cup and it was a tough game tonight. We have another one at the end of May against the Czech Republic and it's another opportunity to work with the side."

Slaven Bilic: "It was a great test for us, it was exactly the one we wanted.

"We didn't just want to play a game and that is the reason I chose Scotland. It was a really competitive game and it was like a game for points.

"This is a hard place to come to. We have a good side and it was nowhere near an easy game. Scotland are a good team."

Luxembourg 0-2 Wales

John Toshack: (on Freddie Eastwood) "Some players don't take the opportunity when it comes along, but Freddy really grasped the chance to show what he can do.

"He is facing stiff competition at Wolves and probably hasn't completed 90 minutes in ages.

"It will have done him no harm to have played a full match. There is plenty of competition for places up front at Wolves, and this performance will do his confidence a world of good."

Northern Ireland 4-1 Georgia

Nigel Worthington: "Everyone talks about the goals David Healy scores and rightly so, but we have shown there is more to our game than just that.

"David got a goal on his big night which was pleasing for everyone, but I was delighted for Kyle Lafferty to get a couple of goals and he knows he has to keep doing that.

"But that was the team effort I have asked for. I wanted a high tempo and in the first half and that's exactly what I got. It was the real Northern Ireland."

Klaus Toppmoller: "We were 3-0 down so quickly and the game was over by halftime.

"I can't take anything from the game other than we avoided a disaster with our performance after halftime.

"But we knew Northern Ireland would be strong at home as they have proved by beating Spain, Sweden and Denmark recently."

Sporting Life / Eurosport