England 1-2 France – Quarter-Final heartbreak for England despite two penalty kicks

England's World Cup campaign ended in heartache as they went out despite a fine performance in the quarter-final against reigning champions France at the Al Bayt Stadium. A late penalty miss from Harry Kane, meant that no extra time was required and France are through to their sixth World Cup semi-final.

On a day where horrendous decisions were being made by match officials, it was France who had the games first chance when Oliver Giroud’s header was comfortably saved by Jordan Pickford.

In the lead up to France’s goal, Bukayo Saka appeared to be fouled but referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio saw no wrong doing. The reigning champions went down the other end and a superb strike from Aurelien Tchouaméni, found its way into the bottom left-hand corner, beating a stretched Pickford. On a night where Kylian Mbappé was supposed to be the star man, he was nowhere to be seen but it was the Real Madrid star who put his nation in front.

Kane had the chance to level the tie when he outmuscled Upamecano, but his club teammate Hugo Lloris was there to read the danger.

England’s first penalty shout of the night came when Kane once again got the better of Upamecano and was brought down. Whilst contact started outside the box, it continued inside. If the ref wasn’t sure, he could have given the penalty and checked VAR to see whether or not a free kick would have been more sufficient. Instead, he waved play on, with England losing position.

The skipper had yet another go when his shot from outside the box, stung the hands of Lloris who couldn’t keep the ball in play.

HT: 0-1

In the second half, boy wonder Jude Bellingham fired a shot from the edge of the box towards goal and brought Lloris into the action again for his side.

Harry Maguire has been brilliant for England in this tournament, as he so always is and could have levelled the game when he towered over his opposition man to win a header from a corner, but luckily for the French, the ball took a deflection and was claimed by Lloris.

Moments later, great piece of skill by Saka, saw him brought down inside the box by Tchouaméni and win England a penalty. Kane stepped up and smashed home to equal Wayne Rooney’s record of 53 goals for his nation and become joint top goalscorer. A magnificent achievement.

England were most definitely the better side in the second half and had a 15-minute spell in complete control. France though had a chance to come forward and a ball to Giroud was met by the attacker whose flick was brilliantly saved by Pickford. Just shortly after though in the second phase, a stupendous ball from Antoine Griezmann was met again by Giroud and this time the Frenchmen headed past the England goalkeeper to restore his sides lead.

The Three Lions needed to keep calm and not allow any mistakes to creep in and were rewarded just six minutes later when they were given another penalty. Well, it took some time after the referee didn’t deem a clear and obvious foul in the first place. Mason Mount was barged over by Theo Hernández, who wasn’t even looking at the ball, but some how the game played on. Once the ref had seen sense by his officials, he awarded the spot kick.

The so ever reliable Kane stepped up again but as soon as the whistle was blown, it was clear he had changed his run-up and blasted the ball into row Z behind the goal. A real shock to the system for everyone around the world, not just England fans. He was consoled by 19-year-old Bellingham, who continuous to show unbelievable maturity for his age.

In the dying moments of the game, England had a free kick right on the edge of the D. Substitute Marcus Rashford took the responsibility and oh so closely missed by fractions. His shot rippled the top of the net, in what was ultimately the last kick of the game.

FT: 1-2

This defeat wasn’t really deserved nor expected as this England side has come on leaps and bounds. Despite being knocked out in the quarter-final stages, this side continues to wear the shirt with pride and give the nation real hope and belief that something will come around sooner rather than later. England can mix with the ‘big boys’ and will now go back to club football, working towards the aim of Euro 2024 in Germany, in around 18 months’ time.

It is yet to be decided if Gareth Southgate will carry on as England manager, but his contract doesn’t expire until after the tournament mentioned above. Has he done all he can, or is there unfinished business lurking in the wings?

All that there’s left to say is thank you once again for the memories and we will go again as we always do! From Qatar with love, thanks lads!

England Starting XI: Pickford, Walker, Stones (90+8), Maguire, Shaw, Henderson (79), Rice, Bellingham, Saka (79), Kane, Foden (85)

Subs: Grealish (90+8), Sterling (79), Rashford (85), Trippier, Pope, Phillips, Dier, Coady, Alexander-Arnold, Mount (79), Ramsdale, Wilson, Maddison, Gallagher

France Starting XI: Lloris, Koundé, Varane, Upamecano, Hernández, Tchouaméni, Rabiot, Dembélé, Griezmann, Mbappé, Giroud

Subs: Pavard, Disasi, Guendouzi, Kolo Muani, Fofana, Veretout, Mandanda, Saliba, Coman, Aréola, Konaté, Camavinga, Thuram

Attendance: 68,895

Man of the Match: Olivier Giroud