Whereas England might need been smelling the prospect to make actual historical past in Qatar this month, the Three Lions suffered extra World Cup heartbreak as they suffered a 2-1 loss by the hands of France on Saturday evening.
Though Harry Kane might need dragged England stage after changing from the penalty spot 9 minutes after the break following Aurelien Tchouameni’s gorgeous first-half opener, the Tottenham ace rapidly got here crashing again all the way down to earth.
Watching Olivier Giroud hand the defending world champions a late benefit after powering residence from shut vary within the remaining moments, Kane was then awarded the prospect to steal all the headlines within the Center East.
Nonetheless, whereas the 29-year-old might need cooly slotted residence from 12 yards minutes after coming back from the break, England’s skipper was unable to duplicate his early effort as he blazed over Hugo Lloris’ crossbar.
Falling to their knees on the remaining whistle and feeling onerous completed by following a string of controversial calls from Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio, we now have taken a look on the key speaking factors.
Is that this the tip of the street for Southgate?
Watching each Brazil and Portugal shockingly come crashing out of the yr’s event previous to their showdown on Saturday evening, many felt that England had a golden likelihood to make actual historical past this month.
Nonetheless, whereas the Three Lions might need been determined to go one step additional than their European Championship heartbreak towards Italy final yr, their Qatar quest might be remembered as one other missed likelihood.
Though Gareth Southgate’s facet might need cruised their approach to the quarter-finals with out breaking a lot of a sweat in Qatar, there’ll as soon as once more be loads of stress on the 52-year-old’s shoulders.
Usually criticized for his pragmatic strategy, it has been no secret that many really feel that England’s present crop of attacking superstars might be higher suited in a system that lets them play on the entrance foot.
Nonetheless, whereas the Three Lions might need induced France a bunch of points on Saturday, it’s one other main event that has handed them by.
Now falling quick on the final three main tournaments following their semi-final exit in Russia 4 years in the past, might England be seeking to begin a brand new chapter over the approaching weeks?
France could make actual historical past this month
Whereas France might need endured an actual disaster over the previous month after watching the likes of Karim Benzema and Christopher Nkunku withdraw from their squad on the eleventh hour, the European giants have loved an attention-grabbing winter journey.
Reserving their showdown on Saturday evening after selecting up a routine 3-1 victory towards Poland final week, the defending champions ought to now be smelling the prospect to make much more historical past within the Center East.
Watching on because the likes of Brazil, Spain, Germany, Belgium and Uruguay all fell by the wayside, Didier Deschamps’ males have been handed what’s a beneficial path to December 18th.
With the red-hot Kylian Mbappe solely persevering with to shine this winter after already notching 5 World Cup strikes, Les Bleus might change into the primary defending champions to retain their crown in virtually six many years.
Coming via what was an actual take a look at towards their British rivals right here, France will now have all their consideration centered on their semi-final battle towards Morocco on Wednesday evening.
Though Deschamps’ camp might need recorded only a single clear sheet from any of their final 11 appearances throughout all competitions, they are going to be tipped as a number one contender in Qatar.
Heartbreak for Kane on the most important stage
After lastly opening his World Cup account on the fourth try final week as England picked up a 3-0 romp towards Senegal, England have been determined for Kane to make use of that show as a platform to construct on.
Nonetheless, whereas the Three Lions’ skipper might need powered residence his first penalty 9 minutes after coming back from the half-time break, Kane got here crashing again all the way down to earth after handing England extra spot-kick heartbreak.
Though the 29-year-old might need moved stage with Wayne Rooney’s all-time document on Saturday evening, Southgate’s attacking talisman couldn’t have wished for a extra disappointing ending in Qatar.
Blazing his second try excessive over Lloris’s crossbar and squandering a probably iconic World Cup second, Kane’s position this winter has as soon as once more seen him and Southgate come below intense scrutiny.
As soon as once more closely that includes outdoors the 18-yard field right here, it doesn’t really feel that Spurs’ sharp-shooter is utilized to his full potential in his deeper-lying place.
Leaving the Center East with only a single aim from open play, might Kane’s place going ahead be below some menace?
Match Report:
England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Henderson, Rice, Bellingham, Foden, Saka, Kane
Subs: Grealish, Mount, Sterling, Rashford
France: Lloris, Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, Hernandez, Rabiot, Tchouameni, Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe, Giroud
Subs: Coman
Targets: England: Kane (54′ pen) – France: Tchouameni (17′), Giroud (78′)
Yellow Playing cards: England: Maguire – France: Dembele, Hernandez, Griezmann
Crimson Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Wilton Sampaio