The story was lastly written in a World Cup quarterfinal, and it was a page-turner, stuffed with heroes and goats, battle and pressure, and an unexpected twist that added to England’s painful lore and helped maintain alive France’s bid for a second consecutive championship.
With a possibility to even the match within the 84th minute, Harry Kane, England’s all the time cool and often dependable striker, despatched a penalty kick hovering into the gang, leaving France with a 2-1 victory and a spot in Wednesday’s semifinal in opposition to Morocco.
“There’s nobody I would have rather had in that situation,” English Coach Gareth Southgate mentioned. “It’s cruel for him because he will feel disappointed in himself, but he shouldn’t because it’s 100 minutes of football and there’s a lot of things that can happen.”
His French counterpart, Didier Deschamps, mentioned, “You need a bit of luck sometimes.”
When it ended, Kane lowered right into a crouch, elbows on knees, his arms rubbing his temples. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was first to console him, adopted by a number of teammates. Southgate hugged his star and whispered phrases of encouragement.
England, which fell within the last of the European Championship final 12 months to Italy in a penalty kick shootout, was aiming to attain back-to-back World Cup semifinals for the primary time and win its first title since 1966.
France, in the meantime, celebrated its third semifinal journey in 5 World Cups. Olivier Giroud scored the successful objective within the 78th minute after Aurélien Tchouaméni scored early within the match and Kane equalized with a penalty kick early within the second half.
“It reminds me of the mentality we had in 2018, that determination we showed,” Giroud mentioned. “I hope we go far in this tournament because this team deserves to get there.”
Despite the absence of three key gamers to harm earlier than the World Cup, France has grow to be the primary reigning champion since Brazil in 1998 to return to the semifinals the following event.
“Gradually we are getting stronger and stronger,” Deschamps mentioned. “But you need to be humble. None of it is worth it unless you get the results.”
Deschamps was then requested concerning the prospect of consecutive crowns, a feat nobody has achieved since Brazil in 1958 and ’62.
He groaned and mentioned: “You are getting ahead of yourself. We are closer to the final. This was an important achievement, so we can believe, but we have an important game Wednesday. We can be satisfied with what we’ve done, but we want more.”
Les Bleus went forward within the seventeenth minute on a objective scored not by celebrity Kylian Mbappé (tournament-best 5 targets) or Giroud however by Tchouaméni, a 22-year-old midfielder with one prior worldwide objective.
The sequence started on the different finish of the sector. England thought it had earned a free kick in prime place, however referee Wilton Sampaio allowed play to proceed. France appeared a half-step forward of England with every go; the Three Lions have been scrambling.
With Mbappé dodging challenges, France moved the ball from aspect to aspect. Antoine Griezmann laid the ball for Tchouaméni, who settled it and, an prompt earlier than Jude Bellingham arrived, smacked a 28-yard, right-footed shot that bent away from the absolutely prolonged Pickford and settled into the decrease far nook.
Kane was on the forefront of scoring alternatives in a seven-minute span halfway via the primary half, however Hugo Lloris, his Tottenham Hotspur teammate, made two terrific saves.
Opportunity continued to knock. Less than two minutes after intermission, Lloris made a stunning leaping cease on Bellingham’s long-range rocket.
The breakthrough got here within the 54th minute after Tchouaméni spilled Bukayo Saka shifting laterally via the field.
On the penalty kick, Kane drove an authoritative shot into the left aspect for his 53rd worldwide objective, tying him with D.C. United Coach Wayne Rooney for the English report. It was additionally his eighth World Cup objective in 11 appearances.
The match crackled with probabilities. Pickford made a top quality save, and Harry Maguire’s header missed by a whisker. Saka drove a six-yarder broad, and Pickford made a outstanding save on Giroud’s side-volley.
France then went forward within the 78th minute when, from a step off the sideline, Griezmann delivered a killer cross. Giroud gained place on Maguire on the close to submit and drove an eight-yard header that deflected off the middle again and into the close to aspect.
Giroud, France’s all-time main scorer, lamented a missed alternative moments earlier.
“I thought I might get another chance,” he mentioned. “When it came to me, it was an unbelievable feeling to score.”
There was ample time for extra drama, although. Theo Hernández barreled into Mason Mount from behind within the field. Sampaio’s whistle remained silent, however the video assistant referee really helpful he take one other look. The penalty was awarded.
“I regret we gave them a penalty,” Deschamps mentioned, “and gave them another penalty.”
Kane’s try, although, sailed into the stands filled with English supporters.
“Everyone in the country would have wanted him” to take it, teammate Kyle Walker mentioned.
Southgate, whose future stays unsure after a profitable six-year run, was pleased with his squad.
“Tonight is probably the best fight that we’ve played against a major nation across the period I’ve been in charge,” he mentioned. “They showed the character, they showed the balls to play against a big team and go toe-to-toe with a big team, to take the ball, to be brave in the way we tried to defend as well.”
Reflecting on the event as an entire, Southgate added, “We’ve once again shown the rest of the world that English football is healthy and we’ve got some very good players not only for now but for the future as well.”
Les Bleus, although, was the group celebrating as Saturday night time changed into Sunday morning and their outlook for consecutive trophies grew.
“There was some singing and dancing,” Giroud mentioned. “It was wonderful to see the outburst of emotion and joy, and it reminded me of great memories” from the 2018 championship.