Goals from Aurelien Tchouameni and Olivier Giroud gave France a 2-1 win over England and a passage into the World Cup semi-final on the night when Harry Kane scored one, but crucially missed another penalty kick for the Three Lions.For once, the reputation of the two teams contesting a quarter-final tie gave us the kind of match we love to see – all action, and attacks on both sides. This time, it was the experience of Giroud and a rare missed penalty from Kane that settled the quarter-final encounter at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.A projectile from way out! Tchouameni draws first blood against England with a stunning strike (VIDEO)Tchouameni opened the scoring when he struck a great rocket to give French the lead in the first half. It was a deserved lead but it was one of those game where any team could win it – there was so much going on on either end.Jude Bellingham came close just a few minutes after the break, hitting a pile driver that was going into the roof of the net – but Hugo Lloris was equal to it and managed to tip it over the crossbar and out.FRANCE ADVANCE TO THE WORLD CUP SEMI-FINALS 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/dhg3CLTmoe— GOAL (@goal) December 10, 2022 The same player who scored the first goal fo the night was the culprit at the other end in bringing Bukayo Saka down in the box following a period of English domination. Kane struck an unstoppable penalty into the top corner, leaving his Tottenham teammate Lloris no chance.Andrien Rabiot came close to restoring Les Bleus’ lead with a lovely volley, but Jordan Pickford dived well to keep it put as the match gathered pace.England could and should have turned the game around when Harry Maguire did well to escape the offside trap and direct a header at goal from a Bellingham free kick. However, the header licked Lloris’ right-hand post on the wrong side.Cameroon in 1990, Nigeria in 1994, Ghana in 2010 – they could only dream of doing THISGareth Southgate’s team played much better the longer the match went on and looked like the team most likely to score. But things change so easily in football, don’t they?Veteran striker Giroud again showed that he’s an unstoppable force in the box. After Pickford saved one of his headers, the Milan forward made sure the next one, a mere minute later, would find the back of the net. With 12 minutes of the 90 – the reigning world champions were 2-1 ahead.KANE SENDS IT TO SAUDI ARABIA pic.twitter.com/JgV4fopLpN— Barstool Football (@StoolFootball) December 10, 2022 Theo Hernandez went in too strongly on substitute Mason Mount in the box and gave Kane another chance to level from the spot. However, the England captain blasted his spot kick over the crossbar and had millions of England fans with their head in hands. Still, there was around 10 minutes left.Southgate brought on Marcus Rashford with the time running out, but the missed penalty took the wind out of the Three Lions’ sails – and there was no coming back.France will face the Lions of Atlas in the semi-final, while Argentina and Croatia will make the other matchup. We’re down to the last four.QATAR 2022 WORLD CUP1/4 FINALSFridayCroatia – Brazil 1-1 AET (0-0)/Petkovic 117 – Neymar 105+1/Croatia wins on penalties 4-2Netherlands – Argentina 2-2AET (0-1)/Weghorst 83, 90+11 – Molina 35, Messi 73 pen/Argentina wins on penalties 4-3SaturdayMorocco – Portugal 1-0 (1-0)/En-Nesyri 42/England – France 1-2 (0-1)/Kane 54 pen – Tchouameni 17, Giroud 78/
