England are out of the World Cup after a 2-1 defeat to France. Gareth Southgate’s men put in a decent performance in their quarter-final, but ultimately came up short as Harry Kane missed a crucial penalty late on against the 2018 champions.
Aurélien Tchouameni opened the scoring early on, before Kane equalised from the spot, however Olivier Giroud had the last laugh as he headed home from close range. When it looked like England had been beaten again, Mason Mount won a penalty but Kane, on the brink of Rooney’s record, blasted over the bar.
It was utterly heartbreaking, and England head home from another tournament in devastating fashion. They dealt with Kylian Mbappe well, they played a back four, Bukayo Saka was superb and still it wasn’t enough. There’s nothing other than complete emptiness.
Southgate started with an unchanged team, as did Didier Deschamps. Olivier Giroud had the first chance with a header on target after Luke Shaw dived into a challenge and England struggled to find the right balance. In the end they were undone when going for it.
France broke as England ventured forward for the first time and Aurélien Tchouameni found space on the edge of the box and fired home from range after 16 minutes, bulleting one into the bottom corner. There were shouts of a foul on Bukayo Saka but to no avail and England’s frustration with the referee would continue in the first period.
Luke Shaw’s free-kick went straight at Hugo Lloris before Harry Kane’s movement led to a chance on goal that Lloris got down to stop. Then the big moment. Kane was clearly brought down by Dayot Upamecano right on the edge of the box but the referee didn’t give anything and VAR failed to intervene. It was a moment that could have changed the flow of the game.
England kept prodding as Kane had a shot parried but France looked dangerous as Mbappe blazed over after a clever free-kick. It was a close first half but England went in behind and the stats made it look like it was game over. England had never won a World Cup match in which they'd been losing at half-time (D2 L6), while France have won 24 of their 25 World Cup matches when leading at half-time (D1).
Bellingham struck a great half-volley that Lloris tipped over just after the break before Saka raced into the box only to be tripped by Tchouameni. Kane stepped up to fire the all into the top left past his clubmate Lloris. It was the goal England’s start to the half deserved.
But England went to sleep at the back and Rabiot struck one that Pickford had to be alert to. Saka’s driving run led to a right-footed shot that was too weak to trouble Lloris but the Arsenal man was causing problems. Kane had another weak effort on target before the ref irked the English contingent further by failing to give another obvious foul on Saka.
Jordan Henderson whipped in a wonderful free-kick that just shaved the post as England continued to create the better chances. Shaw was invited forward and crossed for Saka who missed his chance with a right-footed effort.
Then France had a major chance. Ousmane Dembele won a header at the back post and Giroud was there to volley it but Pickford reacted to palm it clear. Then, the devastating blow. The striker rose highest to head home a wonderful cross from Griezmann.
Mason Mount was subbed on and then shoved over by Theo Hernandez in the box. Thanks to a VAR review, Kane stepped up again. This time though, with Wayne Rooney’s record in his sights, he blazed over. It was utter heartbreak and a devastating end to this tournament.
Gareth Southgate’s future is now up in the air. England are out.
