Bleus for Three Lions

Harry Kane turned into a villain from hero within a matter of thirty minutes. The England captain had shown nerves of steel while converting his first penalty of the night to bring his side back into the game, but blazed his next one into the lower tier of the Al Bayt Stadium – where a shell shocked English supporters watched in horror – to send holders France into the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Kane was the standout English player on the pitch till his 83rd-minute missed penalty crushed Three Lions hopes of a second title since 1966. Kane had earlier cancelled out Aurelien Tchouameni’s first-half strike, before Oliver Giroud put France back in front with a header that deflected off defender Harry Maguire in the 78th minute.
Five minutes later, England were given a way back into the game after Theo Hernandez’s needless shove on Mason Mount in the box resulted in a second penalty of the night. With history weighing on his mind as he went for his 53rd goal for England that would put him level with Wayne Rooney, Kane overshot his right footer as his Tottenham Hotspur teammate and French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and his teammates celebrated the decisive miss.
France, who take on surprise semi-finalists Morocco on Wednesday at the same venue, were hardly the better team – especially in the second half – as England enjoyed larger possession and had 16 shots on target, six more than their opponents. But when presented with a goal-scoring opportunity, France were clinical and now will be favourites to reach their second successive final.
England manager Gareth Southgate felt the result was harsh on his players.
“Our performance deserved better. Goals are decisive, but I’ve just said to the players, I don’t think they could have given any more. I think they played really well against a top team,” he said.
“There are fine margins, things at both ends that have ended up deciding the game, but the way the players have progressed as a group through this tournament has been fantastic. In most of the big moments we were in the right place. We had more shots on goal. But it’s a game of fine margins.”
Kylian Mbappe, who was touted to be the danger man for France, was uncharacteristically quiet as the forward failed to add to his tournament highest tally of five goals. Antoine Griezmann was the livewire on the field for France. The Atletico Madrid star has been a revelation in his new role as deep lying midfielder in Qatar, and he once again pulled the strings for his team last night.
England though had the best of chances as Kane forced Lloris to make a couple of crucial saves. But France surged ahead after Tchouameni’s brilliant drive from the 25 yards that beat Jordan Pickford low to his right. England players were unhappy with the goal after Bukayo Saka was clattered by Dayot Upamecano moments before but Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio stuck to his decision.
Few minutes later England and their fans were left incensed after Sampaio ignored the call for a penalty as Kane went down after a tackle from Upamecano. A minute into the second half though, England earned their penalty after Tchouameni’s clumsy foul on Saka as the Arsenal star weaved past the French defence.
Kane confidently put the ball past Lloris into the top corner as England looked the better team with Jude Bellingham forcing Loris to tip his strike over. Saka and Kane too tried their luck from outside the box but it was Maguire’s header off the cross which brushed the post that came back to haunt England.
France’s forward Olivier Giroud was a constant threat in the box and was denied a near certain goal when Pickford made a point-blank reflex save. But in the resulting corner, France regained the lead 12 minutes from time when Giroud headed in Antoine Griezmann’s perfect cross.
England, desperate for the equaliser, brought in Mount and Sterling and they had a chance to take the game into extra time when Hernandez fouled Mount. With former star David Beckham nervously watching from the stands, it looked all safe as Kane stepped up to take the penalty but the Spurs striker’s wild kick landed among the crowd as England’s long wait for their second world title will continue for another four years.
As another substitute Marcus Rashford blazed his free kick way over Lloris in what was the last action of the match, Kane looked to the sky recounting the moment that will haunt him forever.
Southgate said the ‘incredible’ and ‘reliable’ Kane was not to be blamed for the loss. “For me, we win and lose as a team. We’ve let a couple of goals in, and missed a few chances. So he’s been incredible for us, so reliable in those sorts of situations. We wouldn’t be here but for the number of goals he’s scored for us,” he said.