England-France Shows Why Sport Is The 'Most Important Least Important Thing'

England vs. France was more than a game because it was just a game. 

When the legions of fans who packed Wembley Stadium burst into the French national anthem, nobody cared what the outcome of the game was going to be. 

WATCH: Wembley Stadium joins in on singing French national anthem, La Marseillaise, ahead of kickoff. #ENGvFRA https://t.co/A33fVM237x

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 17, 2015

It was a needed diversion that wasn't really a diversion, a chance to think about something else while also honoring the lives lost in the horrific Paris attacks, a reminder why sports exist as that little thing that can keep us going through the dark times. While sports' effects on society are intangible, it's hard to discount the effect sports has as the little angel on your shoulder, telling you it's going to be OK.

As might be expected, the French looked too emotionally burnt out from the events of the past few days to really give their normal standard of performance, and so England claimed the victory, 2-0.

Dele Alli took advantage of the opportunity to star, and introduced himself to the world of international soccer.

Jump on the Dele Alli hype train while there’s still room https://t.co/jlu7zUqt3D https://t.co/9XHQyLzUZk

— SB Nation Soccer (@SBNationSoccer) November 17, 2015

And the old lion, Wayne Rooney, volleyed home a Raheem Sterling cross to seal the victory.

Wayne Rooney's goal vs France #MUFC https://t.co/524sj9yW84

— Manchester United (@MUFCScoop) November 17, 2015

The game reminded me of the Yankees-Diamondbacks World Series in 2001 after the September 11 attacks. President George W. Bush threw out the first pitch in game three, the first game of the series played at Yankee Stadium in New York. 

The Yankees lost the series, but that moment, when Bush threw out the first pitch, has loomed in the collective memory larger than any baseball play. We won't remember the score of this game. It might flitter in the back of our memories but it won't matter. It doesn't matter. What matters, and will matter, is the moment when 100,000-odd Englishmen joined hands with their French brothers and belted out La Marseillaise, reminding us that it's going to be OK.

Contact The18 Staff Writer Sam Klomhaus at Klomhaus@The18.com or follow him on Twitter @SamKlomhaus