World Cup quarter-final as it happened: France beat England 2-1 after Kane misses penalty

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Thanks for joining us

Thanks for joining us for the last five hours with world champions France progressing to the World Cup semi-finals, and a date with history makers Morocco, after a tense 2-1 win over England in Qatar.

It was 36-year-old Olivier Giroud who was the match winner with a late header, but the game will forever be remembered for England captain Harry Kane sending a penalty kick soaring over the bar which would have levelled the match with seven minutes left of regulation time.

Kane scored one spot kick to bring England level early in the second half and break Wayne Rooney’s all-time record, but then missed the other as his nation fell at another big hurdle in a major tournament.

English hearts are breaking because this was a time when they finally believed they could win a World Cup. And with good reason, after they dominated the French for large parts of the game.

Until later in the week, that’s all from us. Enjoy your day.

England players are dejected at full-time.Credit:AP

Deja vu once more for England

By Jason Burt

Deju vu once more. Once again England have fallen short as they exited the World Cup in a simply agonising quarter-final loss. But this time, against the world champions France, it felt very different.

They were not outplayed. They did not retreat. Instead, they lost a game that they should have won, which they deserved to win and which will sear into Harry Kane – Harry Kane of all people – who missed the penalty kick that would have forced extra time. He missed the penalty that would have confirmed him as England’s all-time record scorer, with 54 goals, one ahead of Wayne Rooney. As he missed, the television cameras cut to Kylian Mbappé with a huge grin on his face.

You can read the full match report from The Telegraph, London, here.

France trying to emulate Brazil in 60-year first

There’s still a chance we’ll have another slice of history with France trying to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to defend their World Cup crown.

And there’s also a chance we could have a repeat of the 2018 final in Russia when Didier Deschamps’ team beat Croatia 4-2 when Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann were on the scoresheet alongside Paul Pogba.

You just wouldn’t bet against them doing it again, would you?

The ecstasy and agony

Beckham leads tributes over ‘true leader’ journalist’s death

The former England star and controversial Qatar World Cup ambassador David Beckham has paid tribute to United States soccer journalist Grant Wahl, who died suddenly after falling ill in the stadium during the Argentina-Netherlands quarter-final.

Wahl had been initially denied entry to a game earlier in the tournament after a wearing a rainbow shirt supporting the LGBTQI community.

In a statement to Sports Illustrated, Beckham said: “I was shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news that Grant Wahl died yesterday. He was a true leader in his field, a highly respected journalist and a great person to spend time with.

“He told the stories of U.S. soccer, mine included, with great intelligence and insight and his writing played a major part in driving interest and enthusiasm for the sport he loved. My thoughts and sincere condolences go to his family, friends and colleagues.”

Soccer journalist Grant Wahl died in Qatar.Credit:Twitter

‘I felt confident taking it … I have to live with it’

The England striker has spoken about that penalty miss to BBC Sport, which has taken maybe as much courage as standing over the spot kick.

‘I don’t know if they’re going to give the trophy to Argentina’

For those catching up on the news, Morocco caused a massive boilover in dumping Portugal out of the tournament earlier this morning. As always, the comments from Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes to Portuguese TV over the match officiating were, well, spicy to say the least.

Poll: Vote for your man of the match

History repeating with the Socceroos

It’s starting to look very likely two teams the Socceroos played in this year’s tournament are going to meet in the final. At least that’s what will be expected when Argentina start red-hot favourites against Croatia, and France will also be expected to end Morocco’s fairytale run in the final four.

But here’s a little bit of history which might be repeating. The last – and only – time Australia made the round of 16 they were beaten by one goal against a team which went on to win the tournament (Italy in 2006).

Could Lionel Messi’s time be about to arrive with Argentina?

Lionel Messi battles for possession with Aziz Behich.Credit:Getty

Could Southgate have got more out of his bench?

There will be a lot of fallout from this game, but one area I think which will need to be discussed is Gareth Southgate’s use of his bench.

He’s done a fine job in charge of the England team, leading them to a World Cup semi-final four years ago in Russia, a final of the Euros and again to the final eight in Qatar, but it was hard to comprehend his handling of the substitutes against France.

He only made a change with 11 minutes of normal time left when Olivier Giroud had headed France back in front, and then took off Bukayo Saka, the Arsenal midfielder who looked England’s biggest threat throughout, and won the first penalty which Harry Kane converted.

There were many who thought Southgate could have rung the changes a little earlier after England had levelled and really tried to put the foot on the throat with his team on top. We’ll never know, I suppose.