France overcame England 2-1 in a World Cup quarterfinal on Saturday thanks to Olivier Giroud’s goal and Harry Kane’s failed penalty. France beat England to reach the FIFA World cup semifinals. Aurelien Tchouameni gave France a first-half lead, but Harry Kane equalized nine minutes later. England dominated for long spells at Al Bayt Stadium, but Giroud put France ahead with 11 minutes left.
Kane subsequently missed his second chance, extending England’s wait for a major international championship since 1966. France is on track to become the first team to defend the World Cup since Brazil in 1958. France is the favorite to retain their title after Brazil and England were eliminated on Friday and Saturday, respectively. They will meet Morocco in the semifinals.
France beat England to reach the FIFA WC semifinals
Croatia’s triumph in extra time prevented England from joining France in the final four years ago. Southgate named an unchanged side after England’s last-16 triumph against Senegal, with Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden alongside Kane. He avoided reverting to a back five to counter Kylian Mbappe, the tournament’s top scorer with five goals. Tchouameni, a 22-year-old midfielder who had only scored once for France before this game, scored the opener for France.
The goal was controversial after Dayot Upamecano appeared to foul Saka. Mbappe went inside from the left before Ousmane Dembele and Griezmann set up Tchouameni for a 25-yard shot that curled past Jordan Pickford. After going behind, England became a more threatening team than France.
Hugo Lloris dived at Kane’s feet after he turned away from Upamecano. England thought they should have gotten a penalty after Upamecano fouled Kane. VAR ruled out a penalty kick because any infraction occurred outside the box. Kane forced Lloris to tip a shot back before halftime, and the France goalkeeper was called on again after the break to tip over a Jude Bellingham volley.
A penalty was awarded when Tchouameni took down Saka in the area seven minutes into the second half. Kane defeated Lloris to tie Wayne Rooney’s England record with 53 goals. Harry Maguire’s free-kick header for England went agonizingly wide against the holders. Giroud forced Pickford to make a great save after Dembele’s knockdown.
Then France scored. Griezmann’s left-wing pass helped Giroud score off Maguire. Theo Hernandez was penalized for shoving Mason Mount after a VAR review, leading to a penalty kick. This time, Kane rocketed over, ending England’s World Cup hope.
