England 1-2 France : Harry Kane's late penalty miss concludes that it's not coming home

The England national team played their final game in the World Cup on Sunday. It was a well anticipated match across the World, but an especially nervous matchup for the English squad and their manager. They were up against the former champions France, but despite France's reputation the faith among the Brits was strong. Unfortunately, numerous debatable decisions from the referee and an uncomposed penalty kick for England costed the Lions a trip to the Semi-Finals.

They say when something isn't broken don't fix it, England manager Gareth Southgate started with an unchanged starting 11. England took away a comfortable 3-0 victory in the Round of 16 against Senegal, Southgate believed this same starting 11 was the winning formula for the Quarter Finals. However, the difference in quality between Senegal and France was evident from the offset. Regardless, It was a cagey first 15 minutes, with neither team being able to break through defences.

Prior to the game, all eyes were steadily fixated on France's star forward Kylian Mbappe. Questions were asked about the English players and how they would contain such skill. Surprisngly, Mbappe was man marked well by England full-back Kyle Walker for the majority of the game. Although, in the 16th minute Mbappe cut in through the middle and was met by a desperate challenge from Declan Rice. In this moment, the England players forced themselves back, but it was too late. Mbappe had passed the ball off to Antoine Griezman, who rolled the ball across to Aurélien Tchouaméni. It was a moment of brilliance as to England's despise, French midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the goal from outside of the 18 yard box.

France 1-0

England supporters and players were in uproar, they believed a foul should've been given in the build-up play. French centre back Dayot Upamecano made a debatable challenge on Saka at the start of the move, however it was overruled as no foul. This was the beginning of a constant theme throughout the match, with England questioning the decisions of the referee.

Immediately after the interval, Jude Bellingham showed the same courage from throughout the tournament. He drove forward and gave the ball to Saka, who was fouled in the oppositions box. Kane took the penalty and smashed it into the opposite corner of goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. The threat of France wasn't left to die, with Jordan Pickford stopping a shot from Adrien Rabiot seconds after play resumed.

The Lions were still aware of Mbappe and the problems he could cause in the finale of the game, to there misfortune there was another danger man. In the 78th minute, French striker Oliver Giroud continued his international legacy, as he leaped in front of Maguire and headed in France's second goal. After England's equaliser and a more positive second half, this was a hammer blow for them.

Surprisingly, a couple minutes later they were handed a life-line to save their dreams of making it to the last 4 of the knock-out rounds. The french centre back, Lucas Hernandez, conceded a penalty after carelessly lunging into substitute Mason Mount. However, this spot kick wasn't reminiscent of Kane's first. He blasted the ball over the bar, and sent England's aspirations away with it.

Harry Kane misses penalty to make it 2-2 , reactions from the players

Unusual miss - Kane's penalty record

Harry Kane gas scored 17/21 penalties for England. He has scored 30/34 in the Premier League.

"I'm always someone who prepares for getting one or two penalties in a game, I always have an idea for what I want to do. I can't fault my preparation or anything like that, it was just the execution on the night" Harry Kane explained to ITV after the game.

England went into the break 1-0 down, they have never won a World Cup match they were losing at halftime. Therefore, it was always against the odds, but it was a few moments of brilliance alongside the referees decisions that won France the game in the end.

AUTHOR

Samuel Gentles