England’s World Cup campaign ended in disappointment as they were knocked out in the quarter-finals against France at the Albeit Stadium despite a fine performance.
Harry Kane’s late penalty miss proved decisive as he had previously equaled Wayne Rooney’s England record of 53 goals from the spot.
France took the lead in the 17th minute when Orléans Chauminy’s 25-yard drive found Jordan Pickford low to his right.
England were the better team for long spells and created chances, pulling level just nine minutes after the break when Kane convincingly beat Tottenham team-mate Hugo Lloris with his penalty while Chowmani Fouls Bokayo Saka.
France took the lead 12 minutes from time when Olivier Giroud headed in Antoine Griezmann’s perfect cross but England had a quick chance to equalize when Theo Hernandez fouled substitute Mason Mount in the box.
Kane had a chance to make history but uncharacteristically blasted his penalty over the top and England’s World Cup dream ended as France await a semi-final against Morocco.
England’s exclusion is so cruel.
England have been accused of timid outings in major tournaments in the past but that cannot be blamed on Gareth Southgate and his players here.
They matched France and dominated for long spells with Saka and Declan Rice, so it will be a painful loss as their first World Cup final since 1966 looks set to open.
Sadly for England and Southgate, they failed to capitalize on the chances that came their way, and were getting the best of France keeper Lloris.
And it will be captain Kane who feels the most frustrated after missing England’s second penalty six minutes from time, with England’s all-time goalscoring record at his feet.
There was a sense of disbelief around the stadium as this most reliable of penalty takers lofted his spot-kick horribly high into the England fans behind the goal.
It was a rare mistake and manager Southgate rushed on at the final whistle to console a player who has been one of his outstanding contributors.
The England players looked devastated at the end – understandable, after such a good performance.
The irony of their departure from Qatar is that they have already exited this World Cup a round earlier than they did four years ago, but this England team is richer in promise. Of course, that will be no consolation for Southgate and his squad.
Griezmann pulls the strings.
Pre-match talk focused on how England could stop France superstar Kylian Mbappe – but in the end, they were inspired elsewhere to set up a semi-final against Morocco.
And the main source was the brilliant Griezmann, who provided the pass for Chomeini’s strike and later delivered a superb cross past Pickford in front of Harry Maguire to demonstrate his penalty box skills.
Mbappe posed a real threat across the board but England’s plan to contain France’s biggest threat largely worked – only for 36-year-old veteran Giroud and 31-year-old Griezmann to return the World Cup holders to last place. To put in four.
