England 1-2 France
France are through to the semi-finals of Qatar 2022 after coming out on top of a pulsating clash with England, and what a game it was!
Les Bleus will face Morocco in the semi-final after the Atlas Lions beat Portugal to become the first African nation to make it to the World Cup 2022 last four. And Didier Deschamps’ side will be mightily relieved to get past a strong England side. It was a ding dong battle as Aurelien Tchouameni put Les Bleus ahead with a beauty of a strike early in the game before Harry Kane levelled early in the second half from the penalty spot. Olivier Giroud restored France’s lead with a trademark header and when Kane missed his second penalty the game was up for the Three Lions.
My colleague rightly billed this game as Gareth Southgate’s biggest test so far and his team played well, very well. But they lack the killer instinct.
Highlights of the game
Two of the best sides in the world put on a good show on Saturday night and there was no real contrast of styles as both are fluent going forward and put the emphasis on attack. In the early exchanges England pressed and harried when France were in possession, but Les Bleus are blessed with players who can operate in tight spaces and move the ball quickly.
And, on 17 minutes, France were ahead.
England fans might feel aggrieved because it looked like Bukayo Saka may have been fouled in the run up to the goal, but when Kylian Mbappe raced away with the ball the threat was on, and it was delivered by Tchouameni with a brilliant low shot from 25 yards beyond Jordan Pickford and into the net.
It was one of the best World Cup 2022 highlightson one of the biggest games and it set the game alight.
The Three Lions fought back and Kane went down on the edge of the box and screamed for a penalty when Upamecano’s legs clashed with the Spurs striker; but the VAR check found the France defender innocent, maybe because the contact started outside the penalty area. Kane was lively though and he tested his club captain Hugo Lloris with a fierce drive which the France keeper saved well.
England started the second half as they ended the first and Lloris made a superb fingertip save to deny Jude Bellingham. And when Bukayo Saka weaved his way into the penalty area France scorer Tchouameni tripped him and the referee pointed to the spot.
Does Harry Kane miss penalties? No he doesn’t; and he slammed the ball high into the top left corner to level the scores.
A minute later Adrien Rabiot almost restored France’s lead and Pickford made a strong save. But England were in the ascendancy and Saka came close to scoring when he met a great ball from Luke Shaw, while Harry Maguire headed wide from a corner with the goal at his mercy. And, as the game started to open out, Olivier Giroud almost restored France’s lead with a volley which Pickford saved but, in a blink of an eye France were back in front. Antoine Griezmann pinged in a brilliant cross which Giroud headed home and Les Bleus fans went crazy.
The drama kept on coming. As England threw caution to the wind Theo Fernandez barged into Mason Mount and England had another penalty.
Does Kane miss penalties? Oh my word! Yes he does. He went the same side and whacked his spot kick high and wide. More heartbreak for England and more hope for Les Bleus!
Key Statistics
England have a good record against France and this was only their tenth defeat in 32 encounters, but it’s one which will hurt.
The Three Lions gave it all and go out of the tournament as top scorers with 13 goals, while France are now up to ten.
Harry Kane as scored 17 penalties or England and it should have been 18. But when the disappointment fades he can console himself with the fact that he has equalled Wayne Rooney’s record of 53 goals for the Three Lions.
What’s next?
Brazil’s defeat to Croatia has blown this competition wide open and the World Cup 2022 betting odds now back Argentina and France to contest the final. Argentina face Croatia on Tuesday and then France will pick themselves up again to meet the ferocious Atlas Lions on Wednesday
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