In a frantic match, France defeated England 2-1 to go to the World Cup semifinals against Morocco, who stunned Portugal in the day’s second quarterfinal. At Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday, Aurelien Tchouameni scored a fierce long-range goal in the 17th minute to give France the lead. The dismissal of two claims for alleged fouls on Bukayo Saka just moments before the defending world champions opened the score particularly incensed England supporters.
The first half was generally evenly matched, but England came out strong in the second. Soon after the opening kickoff, Saka was pulled down once more, but this time it was within the French box, and the referee pointed to the location. In front of 68,895 spectators, captain Harry Kane converted the penalty kick past colleague Hugo Lloris to tie the score in the 54th minute. With the goal, he tied Wayne Rooney for the most goals scored by the Three Lions.
France advances to World Cup semifinals
In the 70th minute, Gareth Southgate’s team had an opportunity to take the lead, but Harry Maguire’s shot went wide and into the net’s side. Olivier Giroud scored a spectacular left-foot volley to tie the score in the 76th minute after finding a large opening in the English defense. Pickford successfully caught it, but England has not let off the hook for very long. After another minute, another cross, and another opportunity for Giroud, the top scorer in France headed in to give France the lead and excite the home crowd of Les Bleus supporters.
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After Theo Hernandez collided with Mason Mount inside the penalty area in the 84th minute, England had a wonderful opportunity to tie the score, but Kane skied his subsequent penalty shot into orbit. The Three Lions were ultimately unable to handle the French press, and France will now face Morocco in the World Cup semifinal on Wednesday at Al Bayt Stadium. It is remarkable. When we were in the lead, we put a lot of effort into our defense. Giroud compared the situation to Belgium in 2018, citing France’s 1-0 victory over Belgium in the semi-finals four years prior.
We regretfully gave up the penalty. At the end of the game, however, we were able to pose a threat in a few instances. Giroud continued, “You have to trust in yourself, and (Antoine) Griezmann provided me a wonderful ball (for the goal). I’m very happy. We gave a strong performance tonight,” he added. “We were aware of this generation’s potential in England. They possess everything of it. To cross the finish line, we had to rely on our mental toughness.
France beats England in World Cup semifinals
Finding the correct words is challenging,” Jordan Henderson told ITV Sport following the game. With the character and mentality to keep going and score the equalizer, we gave everything we had in the game. We gave it everything, so I really can’t say anything else. Gareth Southgate, England’s manager, asserted that his team had given France a fantastic game and that there was nothing more that could have been done. I believe the crucial moments were all that mattered. You’re playing in a high-level game where few opportunities will be produced, and during most of the significant moments, we were in the proper spot, he added, endorsing Kane.
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Southgate stated, “For me, we win and lose as a team and we’ve allowed a few goals in and wasted a few chances. Harry has been fantastic for us and incredibly dependable in those kinds of circumstances. Without the goals he scored for us, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” he continued. Fans of France in the stadium rejoiced because their team had advanced to the semifinals. The game was quite close. They had no interest in playing. Everywhere Kylian Mbappe walked, he was identified, Max Balazun said Al Jazeera. It will be a very difficult game against Morocco. Spain and Portugal were taken out, he claimed.
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