We’re all set for the last quarter-final of this World Cup.
Croatia, Argentina and Morocco have already booked their places, and given that two of those sides are considered surprise packages for making it this far, the winner of today’s encounter will surely fancy their chances of going all the way.
Both sides have produced some impressive performances thus far, but holders France are probably slight favourites, particularly with Kylian Mbappe in such formidable form coming into this game.
Kick-off is at 7pm Irish time.
10 Dec 2022
6:21PM
Confirmation of the starting XIs with both sides unchanged from the last game.
Toploader perform ahead of the Fifa World Cup Quarter-Final match at the Al Bayt Stadium. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
10 Dec 2022
6:25PM
19 - Jude Bellingham is the youngest player to start a World Cup quarter-final for England (19 years, 164 days) - the previous youngest was Wayne Rooney vs Portugal in 2006 (20 years, 250 days). Prodigy. pic.twitter.com/fnMgQ4RLGa
England's Harry Kane scores his side's first goal of the game. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
10 Dec 2022
8:24PM
4 - No player has scored more penalties in World Cup history than Harry Kane, with tonight his fourth goal from the spot in the competition (exc. shootouts). Reliable. pic.twitter.com/qgpsl4Hrft
Giroud has done very little but he suddenly pops up at a vital moment.
Griezmann puts in an inviting cross and the experienced attacker’s header takes a slight deflection off Maguire and goes into the net, leaving Pickford with no chance.
10 Dec 2022
8:41PM
England have made a double change in reaction to the goal.
Mount and Sterling are on for Saka and Henderson.
Coman has replaced Dembele for France
10 Dec 2022
8:42PM
Penalty to England!
Hernandez is penalised for knocking over Mount as a long ball is played into the box.
In the end, it was a tale of two strikers — Olivier Giroud came up trumps at the vital moment to head home having had a quiet game.
Meanwhile, not for the first time at a major tournament, a penalty has cost England.
This time Harry Kane is the man left to rue a poor spot kick as France held on for a vital win.
England can still emerge with their heads held high though — they were the better side for long periods and significantly limited opportunities for the French attackers.
Still, though, this feels like a serious missed opportunity for Gareth Southgate’s men particularly with so many of the big nations already out.
Instead, France will face Morocco in the semi-final, while Argentina meet Croatia in the other game.
A repeat of the 2018 final is still on, while France are still on course to become the first side since Brazil in 1962 to retain the trophy.
France players react to the missed penalty. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
10 Dec 2022
9:12PM
Heartbreaking once again, but no shame in losing to an excellent French team and congratulations to them. There was so little to choose between the two sides. This fine young @England team gave their all and will only get better. Their time will come.
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As it happened: England v France, World Cup quarter-final
England 1-2 France
Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.
We’re all set for the last quarter-final of this World Cup.
Croatia, Argentina and Morocco have already booked their places, and given that two of those sides are considered surprise packages for making it this far, the winner of today’s encounter will surely fancy their chances of going all the way.
Both sides have produced some impressive performances thus far, but holders France are probably slight favourites, particularly with Kylian Mbappe in such formidable form coming into this game.
Kick-off is at 7pm Irish time.
Confirmation of the starting XIs with both sides unchanged from the last game.
Who do you think will go through?
Poll Results:
We’re underway…
France have begun brightly.
They’re seeing plenty of the ball, while the crowd is buzzing every time Mbappe receives it.
Giroud goes down in the box as Mbappe’s cross comes in.
They haven’t shown a replay yet but there didn’t seem to be much in it — France barely even bothered to appeal for a penalty.
Dembele crosses for Giroud, but it’s slightly behind the former Arsenal man, whose diving header is easily saved by Pickford.
France are definitely in the ascendancy in these early stages.
France counter menacingly.
Mbappe crosses for Dembele, but the angle is tight and he can’t direct his attempt on target.
England are struggling to get out of their half at the moment.
ENGLAND 0-1 FRANCE (TCHOUAMENI 17)
France take the lead through a swift counter-attack.
It ends with Griezmann laying it to Tchouaméni on the edge of the area, and the midfielder’s superb strike finds the corner of the net.
England get a free kick in a promising position, but Shaw’s effort is straight at Lloris.
It will be interesting to see how England respond to the setback of going behind.
Kane runs through on goal but Lloris is off his line quickly to narrow the angle and make the save.
Much better from England now.
Here’s a look at that brilliant opening goal…
Kane goes down under a challenge from Upamecano.
After a VAR check, the penalty is not given.
Judging by replays, the initial infringement appeared to take place outside the area.
Good save by Lloris to keep out a powerful deflected Kane strike from the edge of the area.
England have been the better team since going behind.
As I type, a corner causes chaos in the French area, but it’s eventually scrambled clear.
France have been better in recent minutes, enjoying a sustained spell of possession.
They haven’t been able to create any clear-cut chances, however.
Hernandez crosses for Mbappe, whose first-time attempt on the half-volley is well over.
It was a difficult chance, but the PSG man will still feel he could have done better by his high standards.
France do look nervy and vulnerable any time England get into their box.
The problem is that Southgate’s side just haven’t attacked them for any real sustained period.
Griezmann is booked for cynically tripping Walker as he glides past him.
There have been plenty of tactical fouls from France in particular so far.
It hasn’t been a half full of goals or chances, but it’s been an absorbing encounter regardless.
As the first period comes to a close, Foden overhits a corner — England have been uncharacteristically wasteful from set pieces.
HALF-TIME: ENGLAND 0-1 FRANCE
So a tight, tense opening period comes to a close.
France probably deserve their lead as they have been marginally the better side, although Harry Kane has gone close on more than one occasion.
It’s finally balanced with the second half and possibly extra time to play.
The second half has begun…
Close!
A corner falls to Bellingham and his shot from the edge of the box has to be tipped over.
From the ensuing set piece, Maguire’s goalbound header from a Foden delivery is cleared off the line.
France are under the cosh right now.
Penalty to England!
Saka goes down under a rash challenge from Tchouaméni.
ENGLAND 1-1 FRANCE (KANE 54)
Harry Kane sends clubmate Lloris the wrong way.
That’s his 53rd goal at international level, bringing him level with Wayne Rooney.
Rabiot almost responds immediately for France, as he gets plenty of space on the edge of the area, but Pickford gets down well to make the save.
Mbappe gets by Walker but Dembele can’t properly control the 23-year-old’s low cross and England ultimately clear.
You get the sense that France have woken up since conceding that goal.
Here’s a look at the equaliser.
Saka goes on a mazy dribble into the area but his shot is tame and easily saved by Lloris.
This game is so finely balanced that you really feel it could go either way.
France have looked increasingly toothless going forward.
Giroud, in particular, has offered very little.
So close!
Henderson’s free-kick finds Maguire, whose header hits the outside of the post and goes wide as France breathe a sigh of relief.
England are looking the stronger side at the moment.
Another half-chance!
Shaw puts in a dangerous low that Hernandez does well to turn behind for a corner.
The referee then awards France a free kick for a push by Saka on the defender.
Hernandez floats a ball into the area but it’s just too high for Giroud to make a decisive connection.
Moments earlier, the striker was claiming a penalty for an off-the-ball shove by Shaw.
ENGLAND 1-2 FRANCE (GIROUD 78)
Giroud has done very little but he suddenly pops up at a vital moment.
Griezmann puts in an inviting cross and the experienced attacker’s header takes a slight deflection off Maguire and goes into the net, leaving Pickford with no chance.
England have made a double change in reaction to the goal.
Mount and Sterling are on for Saka and Henderson.
Coman has replaced Dembele for France
Penalty to England!
Hernandez is penalised for knocking over Mount as a long ball is played into the box.
HARRY KANE MISSES THE PENALTY!
It’s a terrible penalty.
Kane just blazes the penalty over the bar in a Roberto-Baggio-at-USA-94-esque moment.
England then make another change, with Rashford replacing Foden.
Here’s a look at the Giroud goal…
And here’s that penalty incident and the subsequent miss…
Mason Mount finds himself in plenty of space but blazes it over.
It’s getting towards desperation time for England.
England finally get their first yellow card of the tournament.
Maguire is booked for a late challenge on Griezmann.
There will be EIGHT minutes of stoppage time…
England haven’t really created a decent chance in these dying minutes.
You get the sense they might have time for one more opportunity.
There are about three minutes of stoppage time left now.
John Stones is currently down with a foot injury.
There should still be about three minutes left once play recommences.
Another England change.
Grealish is on for the injured Stones.
Presumably, that means Rice will slot in at centre-back.
Maguire is fouled on the edge of the box.
Big chance for England now with this free kick.
Rahsford free kick goes inches over the bar.
That’s surely that.
FULL-TIME: ENGLAND 1-2 FRANCE
It’s all over and France have edged it.
There was very little between the sides.
In the end, it was a tale of two strikers — Olivier Giroud came up trumps at the vital moment to head home having had a quiet game.
Meanwhile, not for the first time at a major tournament, a penalty has cost England.
This time Harry Kane is the man left to rue a poor spot kick as France held on for a vital win.
England can still emerge with their heads held high though — they were the better side for long periods and significantly limited opportunities for the French attackers.
Still, though, this feels like a serious missed opportunity for Gareth Southgate’s men particularly with so many of the big nations already out.
Instead, France will face Morocco in the semi-final, while Argentina meet Croatia in the other game.
A repeat of the 2018 final is still on, while France are still on course to become the first side since Brazil in 1962 to retain the trophy.
Right, that’s all from me for now.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
We’ll have more reaction to come shortly.
For the latest news coverage on the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022, see here >
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