JOR, Qatar (AP) — Never spare a champion’s life.
With the opulence of a monarch, France defeated England 2-1 on Saturday to clinch the title in Qatar.
Striker Olivier Giroud’s 78th-minute header tipped the balance in France’s favor in a frenetic quarter-final encounter.
After converting a penalty to provisionally equalize early in the second half, England captain Harry Kane sent another into the air, with six minutes remaining, which would have leveled the match at Al Bayt Stadium.
“It’s extraordinary – said Giroud -. I’m very proud, we played a great match. We managed to impose ourselves mentally”.
Giroud scored his fourth goal of the tournament, the same as Argentine star Lionel Messi and one fewer than top scorer, his team-mate Kylian Mbappé.
France took the lead in the 17th minute with a right-footed shot from outside the box by midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, but Kane himself made it 1-1 in the 54th minute with a shot from eleven paces. With this goal he reached 53 goals for his team, equaling Wayne Rooney’s record as top scorer for the Three Lions
Les Bleus will play the semi-final on Wednesday against surprising Morocco, who previously eliminated Portugal 1-0.
“Morocco deserves all our respect and recognition,” said France coach Didier Deschamps. Maybe he wasn’t one of the teams we expected there, but it’s no surprise that he only conceded once in five games. We will take them very seriously.”
It’s the first time a reigning world title holder has reached the quarter-finals this century. Les Bleus are aiming to become the first reigning champions after two goals with Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
“You don’t have to anticipate yourself. We’re going to the semifinals. We’re close to the final and this is a great goal – said Deschamps – In the past, the world champions made mistakes in the next World Cup and we managed to get here.”
Before the first duel between the Channel neighbors in a decisive instance of the World Cup – the only antecedents had been two English victories in the first round of the fixtures in 1966 and 1982 – there was much talk of England’s plan to contain Mbappé.
The problem is that France is much more than its Ten. And for England, who had come into this game unbeaten, it was the same old story: their lack of aim when it came down to it. Since their only title in 1966, they have won just three of ten quarter-finals in World Cup history.
Gareth Southgate, the England manager, didn’t blame Kane for the mistake: “It’s very difficult when you get a second penalty and against a goalkeeper who knows you very well,” said Southgate. This is the best, but even the best are 85% (effectiveness), so even the best can fail.
The current monarch has opened the chest and screwed all his treasures into the first goal of the game.
Defender Dayot Upamecano stole the ball from him and looked for Mbappé to counterattack on the left wing. The striker crossed at the other end and combined with Ousmane Dembélé, who in turn played for Antoine Griezmann. Once again in the role of playmaker, the Atlético de Madrid striker looks for the block with Tchouaméni.
But instead of responding, the Real Madrid midfielder executed a right-footed shot from the box croissant that passed between Jude Bellingham’s legs and hit the post.
But Tchouaméni went from hero to villain when he committed an avoidable foul on Bukayo Saka in the box early in the plug-in. The duel between English Tottenham teammates was won by Kane, who crossed his shot past French goalkeeper Hugo Llorís.
After equality, England almost brought the king to his knees.
First defender Harry Maguire had the chance to convert in the 70th minute with a header that just brushed the post and minutes later Saka missed just in front of goal following an assist from Jordan Henderson.
On the other hand, Giroud did not have the same mercy. After a cross from Griezmann, the Milan forward anticipated Maguire and headed in, with the ball grazing the Englishman’s arm.
France incredibly brought England back to life with another childish foul by Theo Hernandez on Mason Mount in the 80th minute which Brazilian referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio whistled after the VAR warning. But this time Kane performed like a rookie and threw her into the stands.
“We gave them a bit of ammunition with those penalties, but we managed to deliver with heart and guts,” said Deschamps.
Long live the king.
