England captain Harry Kane was crestfallen as his shock penalty miss meant the Three Lions’ agonising wait for a World Cup continued.
Kane scored from the spot with a blistering finish in the 54th minute.
Watch the world’s best footballers every week with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. LIVE coverage from Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Serie A, Carabao Cup, EFL & SPFL. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
However, the skipper fired his second effort well above the bar as French goalkeeper and Tottenham Hotspur teammate Hugo Lloris guessed the right way.
Had Kane buried his second penalty, it would have given England a deserved equaliser in the 84th minute and almost certainly sent the contest to extra time.
But it was not to be, as Olivier Giroud’s 78th minute header proved to be the difference to ensure a 2-1 victory for France.
Brits watching in the stadium and around the world could scarcely believe what had transpired given the skipper’s notorious reliability form the spot.
Morocco stuns Portugal to make semis! | 02:13
MORE COVERAGE
Poms punted! Defending champs hold on after England skipper’s horror penalty miss
‘Jesus wept’: England given TWO penalties but fans rage at ‘absolutely atrocious’ referee
WC’s touching tribute to US journo who died in Qatar as wife left in ‘complete shock’
As the full time whistle blew, Kane cut an inconsolable figure as he crouched down with his face in his hands.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford shielded Kane from a TV camera crew who wanted to capture the skipper at his lowest.
Although it will be a miss that is likely to haunt Kane in the coming days, weeks and perhaps months, the rest of the football world had only positive and uplifting comments to make.
Here’s what the pundits, managers and players had to say …
Former England midfielder Danny Murphy on BBC Sport: “I feel for Harry Kane because he’s been superb tonight, so many aspects of his game. It’s arguably been his best game of the tournament. Overthinking it, I think he’s seen Hugo Lloris go the right way and tried to hit it that bit harder.”
England midfielder Jordan Henderson on ITV: “We know how many penalties Harry has scored for us, how many goals he has contributed to even get us here. He will be stronger for this in the future. He is a world-class striker and our captain, he will bounce back.”
England manager Gareth Southgate on ITV: “For me, we win and lose as a team. We let two (goals) in and missed chances. Harry has been incredible for us. So reliable. We wouldn’t be here if not for the goals he’s scored for us.”
Former England defender Gary Neville on ITV: “You wouldn’t want anyone else to take that penalty.”
Former Irish midfielder Roy Keane on ITV: “The only consolation is it has happened to a top professional, hopefully he is mature enough, obviously upset. But with a younger player, you would fear it being harder to come back from, but the fact is he is a top professional. But you would like to think he would have done a little better.”
Former England goalkeeper Rob Green on BBC Radio 5 Live: “If I could give anyone the ball to take a penalty now, it would be Harry Kane. He was there and missed and it happened but you would not begrudge any of the England players.”
