Olivier Giroud scored winning goal for France against England and confirmed place in Semifinals
Olivier Giroud scored as France beat England 2-1 to qualify for the 2022 World Cup Semi-finals.
A Harry Kane penalty early in the second half canceled out Aurelien Tchouamenis’ opener to leave the two sides level, but Giroud’s 78th-minute header proved the difference between the two teams.
England had a golden chance to equalize in the 84th minute after another penalty from Kane, but the Three Lions captain fired over the crossbar as France hung on to reach the Semis.
The reigning world champions face Morocco in the semi-finals on Wednesday, while Argentina take on Croatia on Tuesday in the round of 16.
France’s first chance of the game came in the 11th minute when Giroud got past Antoine Griezmann, but England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford saved the striker’s shot.
France had another half chance in the 15th minute when Jordan Henderson was pocketed by Adrien Rabiot, who then found Kylian Mbappé, but the striker’s pass to Ousmane Dembele was too strong and the Three Lions had a dangerous time.
The Blues took the lead in the 17th minute when Tchouameni found space outside the England penalty area before firing an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner. Jude Bellingham came on to tackle the Real Madrid midfielder but crashed through the legs and Pickford simply couldn’t pass.
England fouled Dayot Upamecano’s Bukayo Saka early in the attack, but the goal was upheld.
Luke Shaw scored a free-kick in the 20th minute at the hands of France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and the Tottenham Hotspur keeper kept team-mate Kane in the box; France then dealt a high ball which was sent to the post in the next game.
Kane had a powerful penalty cry in the 25th minute when he fell on the pitch after a shot from Upamecano. VAR reviewed the incident, but the referee let the ball pass.
Lloris denied Kane again in the 29th minute when the England captain fired from range, prompting a strong response from Gareth Southgate as he conceded the opening goal.
The real Mbappe got his first glimpse of England’s goal in the 39th minute when Paris Saint-Germain striker Theo Hernandez beat Pickford.
Lloris did well to deny Bellingham’s shot early in the second half before Maguire had a chance from the corner, but the Manchester United captain’s shot was deflected by the French keeper.
England won on 11 kicks in the 52nd minute after Tchouameni beat Saka with a surprise challenge and Kane equalized in the quarter-finals to level Wayne Rooney with 53 goals for the national team. During the process.
Rabiot then tested Pickford with a shot before Mbappé showed his pace to beat Kyle Walker and put Dembele down, but the Barcelona striker was given a rough ride at a crucial moment.
Lloris held off Saka and then Kane early in the game as both sides threatened to score a second goal in a thrilling round of 16 clash.
Maguire headed home in the 70th minute before Hernandez managed to pass Shaw’s cross to Saka, and it was England who looked to have the most chances as the second half ended in the last 15 minutes.
Giroud headed wide for England in the 75th minute, and two minutes later Pickford netted France’s goal with a header.
However, the AC Milan striker couldn’t deny it and in the 78th minute he headed perfectly into the net from Griezmann’s goal.
In the next round, Hernandez was knocked down by Mason Mount and the referee looked at the monitor.
Kane stepped up again, but this time the Three Lions captain fired over the bar in a devastating moment for Southgate.
In the 89th minute, Mount fired high and wide from the French crossbar; Eight more minutes were played in the 90th but England found no response despite their best efforts. Marcus Rashford missed a late free kick.
France are in the semi-finals, where they will face Morocco, who impressively beat Spain and Portugal in two knockout matches.
Lineups:
England Replacements: Grealish, Sterling, Rashford, Trippier, Pope, Phillips, Dier, Coady, Alexander-Arnold, Mount, Ramsdale, Wilson, Maddison, Gallagher
France Replacements: Pavard, Disasi, Guendouzi, Muani, Fofana, Veretout, Mandanda, Saliba, Coman, Areola, Konate, Camavinga, Thuram
Scorers:
Yellow Cards:
