England exit World Cup after Harry Kane misses late penalty in loss to France

Harry Kane missed a late penalty as England’s World Cup dreams ended in a heart-breaking defeat to reigning champions France in a blockbuster quarter-final clash.
By Simon Peach, PA
Published 10th Dec 2022, 21:13 BST

Having reached the semi-finals in 2018 and finished as runners-up at last year’s European Championship, Gareth Southgate’s men were dreaming of a mouth-watering semi-final against Morocco.

England’s hopes were dashed by Aurelien Tchouameni’s early thunderbolt, only for Kane to level from the spot and equal Wayne Rooney’s goalscoring record for the national team.

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France’s all-time scorer Olivier Giroud restored the World Cup holders’ lead and it proved to be the winner after Kane blazed over a late penalty in a crushing 2-1 quarter-final exit.

England's Harry Kane dejected at the end of the match during the FIFA World Cup Quarter-Final match at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire.England's Harry Kane dejected at the end of the match during the FIFA World Cup Quarter-Final match at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire.
England's Harry Kane dejected at the end of the match during the FIFA World Cup Quarter-Final match at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire.

England have a long history of costly spot-kick misses but normally those issues arise in shootouts, like the agonising Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy last summer.

Southgate is contracted until next the European Championship and this may well prove his final World Cup match in charge – a night when his players rallied impressively after falling behind for the first time in Qatar.

Tchouameni’s thunderous drive from distance flew in just 17 minutes into the game after calls for a foul on Bukayo Saka in the build-up fell on deaf ears.

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Penalty appeals for a Dayot Upamecano foul on Kane were also ignored after the VAR concluded the decision occurred outside the box, but Southgate’s side heeded his advice to remain composed and robust.

France's Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game during the FIFA World Cup Quarter-Final match at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.France's Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game during the FIFA World Cup Quarter-Final match at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.
France's Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game during the FIFA World Cup Quarter-Final match at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.

England deservedly drew level when Tchouameni upended Saka early in the second half, with Kane beating Hugo Lloris to move level with Rooney’s all-time record of 53 goals.

Giroud put Didier Deschamps’ side back ahead in Al Khor as he headed home from Antoine Griezmann’s stunning cross, only for Theo Hernandez’s clumsy challenge on Mason Mount to bring another penalty after referee Wilton Sampaio reviewed the pitchside monitor.

But Kane found the Al Bayt Stadium stands rather than the net, meaning England are packing for home rather than preparing for a third successive semi-final in major competitions.

Related topics:Harry KaneEnglandGareth SouthgateFranceWayne Rooney