Qualification of France in a crazy match once morest England. Despite the equalization of Harry Kane (54th), Olivier Giroud (78th) offered the qualification to the Habs. The Blues will challenge Morocco in the semi-finals.
Until the end and this missed free kick from Rashford, the Blues sweated once morest the English in much better shape! Finally, the men of Didier Deschamps logically qualify for the next round. The France team suffered but snatched their ticket to the semi-finals of the World Cup by bringing down England. Ideally launched by Aurélien Tchouaméni, the Blues saw the Three Lions equalize by Harry Kane.
Olivier Giroud delivered his partners with a furious whim, before Kane missed his second penalty in this undecided match until the end. Carried by a decisive Hugo Lloris, the reigning world champions spin in the last four, where they will face Morocco on Wednesday
After a fairly balanced start to the match where the Blues tried to find flaws through Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni came to reward this serious start to the match. On a long shot, the Madrid player deceives Jordan Pickford (1-0, 17′). Decisive passer on the opener, Antoine Griezmann took the opportunity to become the best passer in the history of the Blues, tied with Thierry Henry (27). In the followingmath, the Three Lions tried to react but Luke Shaw’s free kick did not worry Hugo LLoris (19′).
A few seconds later, the French goalkeeper won a head-to-head once morest his teammate at Tottenham, Harry Kane (22′). Real poison, the English captain once once more played a bad trick on Dayot Upamecano and was close to obtaining a penalty (24′). In the 29th, Harry Kane tried his luck from a distance but Hugo Lloris intervened nicely. After a good combination between Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembélé and Adrien Rabiot, Kylian Mbappé is served at the entrance to the area but his shot flies over Jordan Pickford’s goal (39′). Despite a lack of precision in the last gesture, the French team was not really worried by the English until the break (45′). Marked by several players, the PSG striker failed to stand out during these first 45 minutes.
As soon as they returned from the locker room, England put the pressure on. After a badly returned corner, Jude Bellingham tries a long shot, but Hugo Lloris deflects masterfully (47′). On the corner that follows, the French goalkeeper is scared on a missed exit but without consequence. Logically, by dint of pushing, the Three Lions manage to obtain a penalty thanks to Bukayo Saka, following a fault by Aurélien Tchouaméni (52′). The English captain, Harry Kane, transforms the sentence (1-1, 53′) and takes his London teammate the wrong way. The Blues’ response was immediate. The former Parisian, Adrien Rabiot, tries an uncontrolled half-volley but Jordan Pickford diverts with both hands (55′). Surprised following an incredible acceleration from Kylian Mbappé once morest Kyle Walker, Ousmane Dembélé had a great opportunity to restore the advantage to his selection (56′). With a Bukayo Saka in a role of real poison, England is gradually getting the better of the Blues. On a free kick, Harry Maguire is close to finding the frame (70′). More and more pressing, the Three Lions easily approach the surface of the Habs but are missing in the last gesture. Gradually, the French managed to get back into the game. On a superb collective action, Olivier Giroud has a great opportunity to score once morest goal but Jordan Pickford diverts (77′). It’s only a postponement for the AC Milan striker. On a new pass from Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud catapults a header into the English goalkeeper’s net (2-1, 78′).
But in the process, Theo Hernandez makes a big useless mistake on the newcomer Mason Mount (81′) for a new penalty for the English. But Harry Kane misses completely (84′) and shoots above. In added time, England get a free kick just in front of the penalty area (90’+8). Marcus Rashford takes his chance and but it passes just above the skylight of Hugo Lloris. A final fright for the French team which qualifies for the semi-finals of the World Cup. The Blues will face Morocco next Wednesday (8 p.m.).
Match sheet
Saturday, December 10, 2022 – 19h Al Bayt Stadium (Qatar)
England – France 1-2
Arbitrator : Wilton Sampaio
Buts : Tchouaméni 17th and Giroud 58th for France / Harry Kane (SP) 54th for England
Warnings –
Ousmane Dembélé 46th, Antoine Griezmann 43rd, Théo Hernandez 82nd for France / Harry Maguire 90th for England
Expulsion : 0
The official lineups:
England: Pickford – Walker, Stone( 90+8′ J. Grealishs), Maguire, Shaw – Henderson (M. Mount 80e), Rice, Bellingham – Saka (R. Sterling 80e), Kane, Foden (M. Rasford 85e)
Coach : Gareth Southgate
France : Lloris – Koundé, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez – Griezmann, Tchouaméni, Rabiot – Dembélé (K. Coman 79th), Giroud, Mbappé
Coach: Didier Deschamps
