MARCA
Sunday December 11, 2022
Olivier Giroud of France celebratesTolga BozogluEFE
France are through to the World Cup semi-finals after a 2-1 victory over England, with Harry Kane's late penalty miss proving costly for the Three Lions.
The Tottenham striker levelled the score from the penalty spot early in the second half after Aurelien Tchouameni had fired the French ahead after 17 minutes.
Olivier Giroud restored the defending champions' lead in the 78th, with England handed a second penalty on the night soon after.
Unfortunately for Kane and the Three Lions, he sent his effort high and over the bar, meaning it's France who march on to the semi-finals for a clash with Morocco on Wednesday.It all kicked off in the 17th minute when Tchoumeni fired France into the lead with a stunning strike from distance. After Bukayo Saka looked to have been clattered by Dayot Upamecano, France broke at pace.
It eventually fell to the Real Madrid midfielder, who lashed his strike into the far bottom corner.
England came close to responding minutes later, Kane forcing a fine save out of Spurs teammate Hugo Lloris, before France hacked away the loose ball after Jordan Henderson floated it to the back post.
Kane was taken down by a loose leg from Upamecano right on the edge of the penalty area, but after a VAR check, referee Wilton Sampaio waved play on.
Phil Foden's corner dropped into a crowd of players in the six-yard box, before France finally managed to clear as England continued to push forward.
England started the second half strong, Jude Bellingham's shot from distance forcing Lloris into another big save.
Their big break came soon after though when Tchouameni took down Saka in the penalty are after a clumsy challenge.
Kane stepped up and made no mistake, firing hard and to the left to move level with Wayne Rooney as the country's all-time leading goalscorer on 53.
Adrien Rabiot found himself in acres of space soon after, but his shot was palmed away by Pickford, while Kylian Mbappe burned past Kyle Walker, only for nobody to be on the receiving end of his chipped cross.
Harry Maguire came within inches of putting England in front after getting his head on the end of a free-kick, but his header shaved the outside of the post with Lloris at full stretch.
Pickford rescued England when a ball was floated to the back post and headed into the path of an unmarked Giroud, who's volley was sent straight the goalkeeper.
He couldn't do anything moments later when Antoine Griezmann whipped in a superb cross that Giroud beat Maguire to as France retook the lead.
There was still time for some major drama as England were awarded a second penalty after Mason Mount was bundled over by Theo Hernandez.
The referee initially waved play on, but after a look at the screen, he pointed to the spot.
Up stepped Kane, with England's World Cup hopes and a chance to become the country's all-time leading scorer on the line, only to send his strike high over the bar, with the France players rushing to Lloris, who had little to do with the miss.
Marcus Rashford sent a free-kick just over the bar deep into injury time, as France held on and booked their place in Wednesday's semi-final against Morocco.