FRANCE ended England’s Qatar 2022 World Cup campaign tonight with a 2-1 victory in their quarter-final clash at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Olivier Giroud scored for the defending champions while Harry Kane netted for England from the penalty spot.
Kane’s late penalty miss proved decisive after he had earlier equalled Wayne Rooney’s England record of 53 goals from the spot.
France took the lead in the 17th minute when Tchouameni hit a low drive from 25 yards that beat the stretching England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
England were the better, more proactive team for long spells after going behind and they created chances, deservedly pulling level nine minutes after the break.
Kane beat Tottenham team-mate Hugo Lloris in with his emphatic penalty after Tchouameni brought down the lively Bukayo Saka in the France box.
France regained the lead 12 minutes from time when Giroud headed in Antoine Griezmann’s pin-point cross but England had a quick opportunity to draw level when Theo Hernandez fouled substitute Mason Mount in the box.
Kane had the opportunity to make history and become England’s outright all-time top scorer, but unexpectedly blazed his penalty well over the top.
France will play Morocco in the semi-finals on Wednesday while England head home.
