Two Blasts Outside Football Friendly Between France & Germany

Players &fans safe as 2 explosions went off outside the stadium where France & Germany were playing a friendly

Spectators invade the pitch of the Stade de France stadium after the international friendly soccer France against Germany in Saint Denis. (Photo: AP)

On a night of terrifying violence in Paris with two explosions going off outside the stadium, France beat Germany 2-0 on Friday in a game overshadowed by the events around the city.

The explosions could be heard inside the Stade de France as they went off nearby in the first half. Police said more than 120 people were killed in shootings and explosions around Paris, but the match was not halted.

France’s Olivier Giroud with his teammates after scoring the opening goal during the international friendly. (Photo: AP)

French President Francois Hollande, who was in the stadium, was evacuated and immediately held an emergency meeting.

We’re all shaken and shocked. For me personally, the game and the sport loses importance. We’re at a loss. We don’t know what to do.

Joachim Loew, Germany coach

Olivier Giroud and substitute Andre-Pierre Gignac scored a goal each in the friendly match.

The German team, which was evacuated from its hotel in western Paris on Friday morning following a bomb scare, remained in the stadium long after the match.

French President Francois Hollande, left, and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the match. (Photo: AP)

Spectators embrace each other as they stand on the playing field of the Stade de France stadium at the end of a friendly soccer match between France and Germany. (Photo: AP)

In the morning, the German team was evacuated from its hotel following a bomb scare, spending a few hours down the road at Roland Garros, the home of the French Open.

In what might have been a chilling coincidence, two loud explosions were heard outside Stade de France just minutes apart midway through the first half, followed by the sounds of wailing police sirens.

France’s players did not seem aware of the events until after the match, at which point television images showed some gathering to watch the news unfolding, looks of shocks on their faces.

“The French Football Federation shares the pain of the bereaving families and their loved ones,” FFF president Noel Le Graet said.