ENGLAND are out and France can still repeat as champions. They have become the first side since the great Brazilian side of 1998 to reach a semifinal as champions.
France 2 vs 1 England
The English have been using the song, It’s coming home as their anthem for this world cup- but it is not. Harry Kane, now called had a golden opportunity to tie the game 2-2 but missed the penalty kick and England are now out.
England had long periods of domination over France with 58% of the possession, 16 shots at goal and eight on target, two penalties and 503 passes. It was still not enough. Kylian Mbappe had a quiet night as Kyle Walker kept him at bay but the ever-influential Antoine Griezmann controlled the show for France.
Aurelein Tchouameni had a wonderful strike in the 17th minute and France went ahead. Kane drew England level in the 54th with a well-taken penalty against his Spurs teammate and skipper Hugo Iloris. In the 78th Olivier Giroud again found the net with a decisive header that sealed the game.
In the 84th Kane had the opportunity to even the score but he ballooned the spot kick and condemned England to a plane ride home. France has earned a date with Morocco. Penalties have doomed England again, as it so often has in the past.
English fans can feel hard done because it was a game that they should have won given the number of opportunities they created. France were happy to let England have the ball and wait for the counter attack.
France came with speed and determination on the counter and it paid off. It was by no means a stellar French performance and the scream Mbappe released when Kane missed the shot was a clear indication that France knew that they had gotten away from a potential loss at this stage.
Qatar: England Out, France Set to Repeat
Qatar 2022 Quarterfinals match 4
Saturday, December 10, 2022
By Gerald Lutchman
ENGLAND are out and France can still repeat as champions. They have become the first side since the great Brazilian side of 1998 to reach a semifinal as champions.
France 2 vs 1 England
The English have been using the song, It’s coming home as their anthem for this world cup- but it is not. Harry Kane, now called had a golden opportunity to tie the game 2-2 but missed the penalty kick and England are now out.
England had long periods of domination over France with 58% of the possession, 16 shots at goal and eight on target, two penalties and 503 passes. It was still not enough. Kylian Mbappe had a quiet night as Kyle Walker kept him at bay but the ever-influential Antoine Griezmann controlled the show for France.
Aurelein Tchouameni had a wonderful strike in the 17th minute and France went ahead. Kane drew England level in the 54th with a well-taken penalty against his Spurs teammate and skipper Hugo Iloris. In the 78th Olivier Giroud again found the net with a decisive header that sealed the game.
In the 84th Kane had the opportunity to even the score but he ballooned the spot kick and condemned England to a plane ride home. France has earned a date with Morocco. Penalties have doomed England again, as it so often has in the past.
English fans can feel hard done because it was a game that they should have won given the number of opportunities they created. France were happy to let England have the ball and wait for the counter attack.
France came with speed and determination on the counter and it paid off. It was by no means a stellar French performance and the scream Mbappe released when Kane missed the shot was a clear indication that France knew that they had gotten away from a potential loss at this stage.
Remaining matches
Semi-finals
Tuesday December 13, 2022, 3pm – Lusail Stadium
Wednesday December 14, 2022, 3pm – Bayt Stadium
Third place playoff
Finals