Heartbreak for England as France knock them out of the World Cup
Gareth Southgate's men couldn't make it past the quarter finals
Last updated 10th Dec 2022
England have been knocked out of the World Cup by France in the quarter-finals.
Gareth Southgate's England team lost 2-1 to France.
Once again, England's major tournament ended early due to penalties, this time within the 90 minutes as Harry Kane missed a penalty which would have levelled the game at 2-2.
The striker had already scored a penalty in the second half.
The referee, Wilton Sampaio, was subjected to a barrage of negative comments from English supporters, following two contentious decisions in the first half.
Mr Sampaio’s Wikipedia page was also edited, with the referee listed as having “lost his guide dog”.
A story of penalties
Fans had bemoaned a number of refereeing decisions during the game, but the Brazilian official awarded two penalty kicks to Gareth Southgate’s side in the second half.
England supporters had a brief moment of jubilation as Kane’s first spot-kick beat his teammate Hugo Lloris, with beers and Santa hats thrown in the air at fan parks around the nation.
After a VAR intervention, the Three Lions were awarded a second penalty – but the England captain blazed it over the bar.
Messages of support
There were many messages of support for the England team after the final whistle.
Sir Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat-trick when England won the World Cup final in 1966, tweeted: “Proud of every single player and the way they have played.
“Sometimes the heart just doesn’t get what it wants on the night.”
The Prince of Wales sent a personal message to the England team, saying he was “gutted” for Southgate and the players, adding: “We are all so proud of you.”
After the game, William tweeted: “Gareth, Harry and the whole England squad and staff, gutted for all of you.
“You put so much into this tournament and we are all so proud of you. Heads held high and on to the next one!”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said England deserved to win the game and the result was “absolutely gutting”.
Former England striker Wayne Rooney, whose goalscoring record Harry Kane could have broken if he scored his second penalty of the match late in the quarter-final, tweeted: “Absolutely gutted for the lads but proud of the way they’ve played this tournament and they should be proud.
“Congratulations to (Harry Kane) on equalling the record, he’ll be on his own soon and couldn’t think of anyone better to take over. Keep your head up Harry.”
Former England internationals Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer said the match came down to “fine margins”, adding that the young side’s “time will come”.
Shearer tweeted: “2 decent sides. A missed pen. Fine margins. Well done France.”
Lineker posted: “Heartbreaking once again, but no shame in losing to an excellent French team and congratulations to them.
“There was so little to choose between the two sides. This fine young (England) team gave their all and will only get better. Their time will come.”
The run-up to the quarter finals
After topping Group B, England played Group A runners-up Senegal in the Round of 16 game, beating them 3-0.
That brought them to the quarter finals where they met current World Cup holders France.
Previously the Three Lions had won on both occasions which the two teams have met at the World Cup, a 2-0 victory in 1966 and 3-1 in 1982.