What did England miss?
Completely dominating in all aspects of the game in their quarter-final against France, they nevertheless conceded defeat against the course of the game (1-2), crucified by Tchouaméni and Giroud.
Kylian Mbappé's band offers a semi-final against Morocco on Wednesday.
At kick-off, the two coaches, Didier Deschamps and Gareth Southgate, had chosen continuity.
The two eleven presented are the same who had started the round of 16, respectively against Poland and Senegal.
It is, however, the swings in concentration that mark the start of France's half-time.
Aurélien Tchouaméni, then Dayot Upamecano lost a ball in their last 30 meters resulting in a dangerous situation (7th, 10th).
Then, France gets in the right direction: towards the English goal.
Thanks to the excellent understanding between Griezmann and Dembélé in the right lane, the Blues are creating their first chances.
A center from Barcelona finds the head of Giroud but it is blocked by Pickford (11th).
A few moments earlier, it was a shot from the scorpion that he tried (7th).
The France team is quick to find the fault.
Mbappé resists a borderline charge to pass to Dembélé who hands over to Griezmann.
The latter slips to Tchouaméni who sends an unreachable strike by Pickford (17th, 0-1).
𝑮𝒓𝒊𝒛𝒐𝒖 𝒑𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒗𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒓 😌⚽️
Decisive passer on the goal of Tchouameni, @antogriezmann becomes the 𝙈𝙀𝙄𝙇𝙇𝙀𝙐𝙍 𝙋𝘼𝙎𝙎𝙀𝙐𝙍 of the history of the Blues, tied with Thierry Henry (27) 🙌
🏴0-1🇫🇷 |
#ANGFRA |
#ProudofBleus pic.twitter.com/RXLZ1GrXSK
– French team ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) December 10, 2022
France took the lead but saw their strong moment come to an end.
Behind, it is the turn of Hugo Lloris to shine.
The so-called weak point of the Blues according to the English press is imperial on strikes from Shaw (21st), his teammate from Tottenham Kane (22nd, 30th).
The English claim a penalty when the latter is jostled in the area by Upamecano but the referee just like the VAR does not flinch (25th).
England dominate...
France turned their backs against the English onslaught and returned to the locker room with a slim advantage.
And it's not just on the pitch that the Blues are dominated.
In the stands too, French supporters have a hard time making themselves heard.
Back on the field, Lloris disgusts Bellingham with a tap which he has the secret of on a perfect half-volley from the English midfielder (47th).
But Tchouaméni causes a penalty for a bad intervention on Saka.
Harry Kane does not tremble to equalize (54th, 1-1).
Level on 53 goals for the #ThreeLions! @HKane 🤝 @WayneRooney pic.twitter.com/GErwW5kmMz
— England (@England) December 10, 2022
The goal has the merit of waking up the French.
Rabiot sends a mine on Pickford (55th) then Mbappé makes the difference on his side but his center is not taken over properly either by Giroud or by Dembélé (57th).
The two camps surrender blow for blow but the Blues are in difficulty to build their game. The English dominate them both on short raises and in aerial duels on clearances.
The knockout is close: Maguire brushes the right upright of Lloris (70th) and Théo Hernandez saves a dangerous situation from Saka (73rd).
...But Kane doesn't finish the job
In this slump, Giroud takes advantage of a discount from Dembélé to solicit Pickford who saves his people (77th).
And in the continuity of the corner conceded, it is still the top scorer in the history of the Blues who find the fault putting France in front against the course of the game (78th, 1-2).
France believe they have done the hardest part but Théo Hernandez concedes a new penalty with a foul on Mount.
But this time, Harry Kane catapults him directly into the English supporters (84th).
Mentally, the course of the match then changes sides.
Lloris does the job in the final moments.
The English can have immense regrets as they seemed to have control of the game.
As for the French, four years later it's a semi-final that awaits them in their dream of keeping their crown.
A penultimate march in the form of a quasi-fratricidal duel against Morocco.
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