STRASBOURG played Three Lions over the tannoy before kick-off – then stopped Crystal Palace bringing football home.
After defeats for Newcastle in Marseille and Tottenham at Paris Saint-Germain, the Eagles ensured a nightmare week finished France 3-0 England.
Tyrick Mitchell’s low, angled finish put the visitors in front before Emanuel Emegha and Samir El Mourabet turned it around in the second half.
But Oliver Glasner’s side certainly had enough glorious chances to take three points, including twice striking the woodwork from open goals.
Just like much of his six-month loan at Selhurst Park earlier this year, Ben Chilwell started on the bench for Strasbourg in a game many tip to be May’s final.
Or Ben Chillywell, in 2C temperatures.
Boss Liam Rosenior, who passionately denied his team are simply Chelsea-B, did not name anyone over 23 in his starting XI.
Jean-Philippe Mateta tried his best Richarlison impression early on but on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders was ready.
Strasbourg then went close twice, thanks in large part to the excellent work of constant threat Sebastian Nanasi.
And the Stade de la Meinau erupted into life when the furious ultras ended their 15-minute silent anti-BlueCo ownership protest with a cacophony of chanting, jumping, scarf-waving and flares.
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Mitchell, though, quietened them again ten minutes before half-time.
Mateta held the ball up brilliantly and threaded in behind Guela Doue, Desire’s brother, and wing-back Mitchell superbly drilled in.
Seconds later, it was millimetres from 2-0.
Penders was caught in no-man’s land after a misplaced backpass and Sarr had an open goal from 35 yards.
His effort hit the inside of the post and agonisingly rolled across the line.
Yeremy Pino then forced a reaction save from Penders and it could have been three within five minutes.
Chilwell came on at left centre-back just before the break while Eagles skipper Marc Guehi went off in a pre-planned half-time substitution.
Within eight minutes, Strasbourg levelled when former Chelsea man Diego Moreira centred for future Chelsea man Emegha to finish at the back post.
Then history repeated itself when sub Adam Wharton picked Ismael Doukoure’s pocket on the edge of the area and crashed against the crossbar with Penders nowhere to be seen.
It did the same again when Pino should have scored after Ismaila Sarr’s dummy but Penders saved.
Right up the other end, Strasbourg punished Palace.
A free-kick after a harsh handball call against Maxence Lacroix bounced back off the bar and El Mourabet reacted first to poke in.