On Saturday, Kylian Mbappe and France defeated England 2-1 to advance back to the World Cup semifinals.At Al Bayt Stadium, Olivier Giroud’s goal in the 78th minute kept France on track to become the first side to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962. When Giroud’s header deflected off England defender Harry Maguire and flew past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, he sprinted away in joy. Late in the game, England attacker Harry Kane had an opportunity to tie the game, but his penalty effort went over the crossbar. It was his second spot kick of the match. He had earlier equalised the score after Aurelien Tchouameni had given France the lead in the 17th minute with a powerful drive from 20 meters (yards).On Wednesday, France will play Morocco in the semifinals. By defeating Portugal 1-0, the Moroccans became the first African team to get to the World Cup semifinals. When the game was tied 1-1, England appeared to be the team more likely to score. However, Giroud was the one to make contact with Antoine Griezmann’s cross, increasing his total of 53 goals scored to become France’s all-time greatest scorer.
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However, the joy was short-lived as referee Wilton Sampaio evaluated Theo Hernandez’s challenge on substitute Mason Mount in the box. The penalty was given by a Brazilian official. When Tchoumani fouled Bukayo Saka for a penalty, Kane sent Tottenham teammate Hugo Lloris the wrong way with his first attempt, but he sent his second attempt far over the crossbar.
England, which lost to Italy on penalties in the final of last year’s European Championship, reached the semifinals at the 2018 World Cup.England trailed in the game for the first time in a World Cup match after scoring 12 goals on the road to the quarterfinals in Qatar. It was also the first time the English team had conceded a goal since the opening 6-2 rout of Iran.
With his 53rd goal for England, Kane now shares the record for most goals scored for the national team with Wayne Rooney.Mbappe enthusiastically applauded after Kane missed the penalty shot despite not having a goal of his own to celebrate. Mbappe is the leading scorer at the World Cup with five goals, one more that Giroud and Lionel Messi.
Gareth Southgate, the head coach of England, has frequently come under fire for being overly conservative in the biggest games, but he selected a back four against France and gave his team plenty of attacking threats. While there was no pressure from a France opponent at the start of the game, Maguire kicked the ball out of play. Maguire alerted the referee that a new ball was required because the old one was losing air.
France will next face Morocco on Wednesday for a spot in the final.
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