Ryan Baldi: “Three things we learned from England’s defeat to France”

IT wasn’t a shootout this time, but failure from 12 yards has once again brought England’s tournament hopes to an untimely end.

Harry Kane fired high over the bar after England were awarded an 84th-minute penalty that, if converted, would have seen them level and with momentum on their side, having largely outplayed France at Al Bayt Stadium.

Instead, France held on and booked a semi-final berth. England’s 2022 World Cup ends in quarter-final defeat.

Here are three things we learned from a valiant Three Lions performance.

 

One Lapse

 

An even – if somewhat scrappy – first half saw England trailing 1-0 at the break, thanks to a rasping 25-yard strike from Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.

The second half was less even. England were on top. In command. Either side of Harry Kane’s equaliser from the penalty spot, they created the lion’s share of the chances and looked the more confident team.

But all it takes is one lapse.

With just 12 minutes to play, England cleared one cross from the left but failed to properly reorganise after doing so. When Antoine Griezmann whipped a second ball into the box from the same flank, Harry Maguire had given Olivier Giroud too much space.

The England defender closed on France’s totemic record scorer but not quickly enough. Giroud got there first, heading the ball against Maguire and beyond Jordan Pickford to give the reigning world champions a lead they would not surrender.

England kept pushing and, after a VAR review, were awarded a second spot kick when Theo Hernandez thrust his shoulder into substitute Mason Mount’s back.

This time Kane uncharacteristically erred, firing high over the bar, squandering the chance to bring his side level for a second time and to become England’s all-time highest scorer in the process.

Fine margins.

 

Saka and Foden Cement Future

 

Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio clearly took to the field determined to let the match flow at Al Bayt Stadium. The problem was it appears it was a kickboxing match he had in mind.

England were denied a clear penalty in the first half when the clumsy Dayot Upamecano crashed into Kane on the edge of the box. And the same defender clattered Bukayo Saka at the beginning of the move that culminated in France’s first goal. Both times VAR declined to intervene.

Saka was targeted for rough treatment throughout. Upamecano, Hernandez and Adrien Rabiot took turns kicking lumps out of the Arsenal forward, and rarely did Sampaio even reach for his whistle, let alone his cards.

But Saka persevered, continuing to show for the ball and run at the French backline. In doing so, he won a penalty the referee could not ignore, brought down by Tchouameni.

On the opposite wing, Phil Foden recalled images of Paul Gascoigne in his skill and bravery on the ball. The Manchester City star was confident, composed and showed broad shoulders by continually shouldering a great share of England’s creative burden in the second half.

Even in a defeat so crushing, Saka and Foden cemented themselves as the bright, front-footed future of this England team.

 

Defeat But No Disgrace

 

So it ends as it so often has down the years for England. A quarter-final loss, with a familiar missed penalty thrown in for good measure.

It might have conjured that all-too-recognisable sinking feeling for England, but this defeat was no disgrace. The Three Lions outplayed France for much of the game and can consider themselves unfortunate not to be lining up against Morocco in Wednesday’s semi-final.

Foden and Saka shone, Bellingham battled, Rice and Henderson orchestrated and Kyle Walker did about as good a job of keeping Kylian Mbappe subdued as possible. As for captain Kane, his penalty miss was costly but he was a constant threat, landing four shots on target and leading by example as he drove England’s fightback efforts after the concession of the game’s first goal.

England depart Qatar disappointed, but they have impressed in defeat. There will be speculation, inevitably, over Gareth Southgate’s future as manager, but he should, if he chooses, stay on. The effort of his side against arguably the most talent-rich team at the tournament is testament to his excellent work and how motivated his players remain under his instruction.

A friendlier draw would surely have seen England progress further. As it was, this was a quarter-final meeting of two final-worthy teams. The sting of defeat shouldn’t erase what has been a fine tournament performance in Qatar.