In the FIFA World Cup 2022, defending champion France reached the semi-finals for the 7th time, stopping England’s victory chariot 1-2

Queue. Olivier Giroud’s goal helped defending champions France beat England 2-1 here on Saturday to book a place in the semi-finals of the World Cup. Girod scored France’s second and decisive goal in the 78th minute at the Al Bayt Stadium. With this, they are now only two wins away from becoming only the second team after Brazil to win two consecutive World Cups. Brazil won two consecutive World Cups in 1958 and 1962.

 

Giroud then sprinted in joy when his header beat England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and headed in. England striker Harry Kane then had a chance to equalize but his shot from the penalty spot went wide of the crossbar. This was Kane’s second penalty. Earlier in the 54th minute, he had equalized for England by converting the penalty into a goal. Aurélien Tchoumeni scored the first goal for France in the 17th minute. France will face Morocco in the semi-finals on Wednesday, which beat Portugal 1-0 in another quarter-final match.

 

Morocco is the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup. England looked to be in a position to take the lead after the score was leveled at 1-1 but it was Giroud who headed home Antoine Griezmann’s cross to score his 53rd goal for France, a national record. France’s joy, however, was short-lived as referee Wilton Sampaio reviewed a challenge from substitute Mason Mount inside the box, who was brought down by Theo Hernandez. The Brazilian referee awarded a penalty to England.

 

The first time Kane took the penalty, he was able to beat his Tottenham teammate Hugo Lloris, but the second time his kick went over the crossbar. While the supporters of England were disappointed by this, the French supporters started celebrating. England’s first penalty was awarded to Tchoumeni for bringing down Bukayo Saka. England, who lost on penalties to Italy in the final of the European Championship last year, reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2018. England had scored 12 goals in the World Cup reaching the quarter-finals and were trailed for the first time in a match.

 

This was the first time since their 6–2 thrashing of Iran that England conceded a goal. Kane equaled Wayne Rooney’s national record by scoring his 53rd goal for England but missed a golden chance to break the record. France’s star striker Kylin Mbappe did not score but celebrated when Kane missed a penalty. Mbappe has scored five goals in this World Cup so far and is one goal ahead of Giroud and Lionel Messi.