England vs. France: On Saturday night, England was eliminated from the World Cup quarterfinals after falling to incumbent champions France 2-1.
Steve Holland, Gareth Southgate’s assistant, cautioned that this would be a “50-50 game.” It accurately predicted the tiny margin between the teams and Harry Kane’s success record from the penalty spot.
France seized the lead on either side of halftime before England could equalize from 12 yards. Kane comfortably converted his first penalty just after the break. Still, he blasted over his second effort, sending the Three Lions to an early departure after an excellent showing for long periods.
In the 17th minute, Dayot Upamecano robbed Bukayo Saka and led a surge downfield. England’s rearguard rushed back, desperately attempting to crowd white shirts around Kylian Mbappe and then Ousmane Dembele.
Antoine Griezmann, in the mood to identify holes that are difficult to perceive from a bird’s eye view, rolled a pass to Tchouameni with enough time and space to let go from 26 yards, zipping the ball between Jude Bellingham’s legs and into the bottom corner, among the excitement.
England responded well after going down for the first time in this World Cup. Harry Kane trapped Upamecano halfway through the first half twice in short succession, wheeling toward the goal. Hugo Lloris made a diving stop to deny England’s captain before Upamecano got entangled with Kane outside the area, surviving a VAR review.
The danger offered by the world champions in transition was always there, but England was the one that brought the game to France. Lloris was considerably busier than Jordan Pickford, turning aside a fizzing Bellingham attempt before seeing his Tottenham teammate from 12 yards eye-to-eye.
Saka wriggled into the French box within 10 minutes after the resumption, tiptoeing down the perimeter of the area until Tchouameni stretched out a lazy leg. Kane put the ball on the penalty spot – and then had to do it again because his kick was delayed – before launching his penalty into the top corner.
Before the game, the French camp emphasized the significance of set pieces, praising England’s danger in this area. Harry Maguire nearly justified those worries as his header scraped the outside of the post. Olivier Giroud quickly demonstrated how to accomplish it.
Pickford couldn’t save Giroud’s volley from point-blank range, but he couldn’t stop Griezmann’s vicious throw from the second phase of a corner kick in the 78th minute.
For the first time, Southgate was compelled to turn to his bench, putting on Mason Mount. The Chelsea attacker secured England’s second spot kick the night before ever touching the ball, sprinting into the area and luring Theo Hernandez into a reckless tackle.
Kane tied Wayne Rooney’s international goal record with his first penalty, but he couldn’t break it with his second effort from 12 yards. As Kane’s kick continued to climb into the air-conditioned air, England’s chances of advancing dwindled.
England player evaluations (4-3-3): England vs. France
Jordan Pickford – 5/10 – May have been beaten from range, but he was unsighted for Tchouameni’s strike.
RB: Kyle Walker – 5/10 – In the much-anticipated head-to-head between Walker and Mbappe, the Frenchman won a footrace that England’s fullback did well to contain.
CB: John Stones – 6/10 – A slip in positioning gave Adrien Rabiot room to run into in the second half, but Pickford came to the rescue.
Harry Maguire – 6/10 – CB Maguire, eager to get the ball into the final third, avoided exposing his glacial turning circle.
Luke Shaw – LB – 5/10 He seldom fired forward thrusts on occasion, but when he did, they were precise and precise.
Jordan Henderson CM – 4/10 – He didn’t bring the consistency in possession he has in the past.
Declan Rice – 7/10 – Played on the balls of his feet, always ready to leap forward and steal possession.
CM: Jude Bellingham – 7/10 – Grew into the game with an infectious effort, charging between both boxes.
RW: Bukayo Saka – 8/10 – Constantly tapping the ball out of the reach of the defender with half-touches that enticed a challenge,
6/10 for Harry Kane The missed penalty will undoubtedly define his performance, but it will eclipse much of his previous efforts.
Phil Foden – 4/10 – LW He was forced to roam about the city in quest of a touch, which he fought to get.
Gareth Southgate is the manager. – 6/10 – It will be swiftly forgotten in the haze of another penalty heartbreak, but England was the superior team for big swaths of the game.
Player ratings for France (4-2-3-1): England vs. France
Hugo Lloris – 7/10 – France’s record-breaker made a significant impression when called upon.
RB: Jules Kounde – 7/10 – Snuffed out practically all of Foden’s impact.
Raphael Varane (CB) – 7/10 – Acting as a safety net behind Upamecano’s energetic lunges forward.
CB: Dayot Upamecano – 5/10 – Enjoyed mixed success with an extraordinarily aggressive (almost crazy) attempt to regain possession of the ball.
LB: Theo Hernandez – 3/10 – Struggled to deal with Saka’s forward scurries before losing his composure and conceding France’s second penalty.
Antoine Griezmann (CM) – 9/10 – Drifting with danger in the last third, appearing just out of those in white’s peripheral view.
Aurelien Tchouameni, CM – 5/10 He scored well but handed England the equalizer with an overzealous challenge.
Adrien Rabiot – 7/10 – Shuttling up and down the pitch, sealing the space in a crowded midfield.
Ousmane Dembele – 6/10 – RW A persistent possibility to shift France’s assault emphasis.
ST: Olivier Giroud – 7/10 – He played outside the game for a long time until he found himself in the right spot at the right moment.
LW: Kylian Mbappe – 6/10 – In and out of the game, even though everyone on the field and in the fans was well aware when he received the ball.
Kingsley Coman (5/10 for Dembele)
