England skipper Harry Kane failed to secure the much needed equalizer from the spot as they were kept at bay by France, who have advanced to the semifinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup after winning the quarterfinal encounter 2-1 this Saturday at the Al Bayt Stadium.
The Frenchman broke ahead of the deadlock early into the match as Aurelien Tchouameni opened up the scoreline with a brilliant long distance shot from 25 yards away past Jordan Pickford.
While the defending champs were leading into the second half, Kane brought ‘The Three Lions’ back into game at the 54 minute mark with a penalty awarded to England after Tchouameni brought Saka down in the French box.
The Tottenham stalwart was clinical with the strike, rocketing the ball past Hugo Lloris into the top left corner. Unfortunately, Kane failed to repeat the scenario late into the game when France went ahead on Olivier Giroud’s brilliant header.
After missing the first heading attempt minutes before, Giroud received a superb cross in from Griezmann, before heading it to the right of Pickford to put France ahead at the 78th minute mark.
Just six minutes later, Kane got his second chance to equalize from the spot, but he unfortunately sent the ball flying over the bar, diminishing the concrete chance England had to level the scores at the last moment.
Final Score: England 1 – 2 France
Goals:
FRA – Aurelien Tchouameni – 17th minute
ENG – Harry Kane – 54th minute
FRA – Olivier Giroud – 78th minute