Fifa World Cup 2022: Olivier Giroud header sends France past England into semi-finals
- Harry Kane scores a penalty for England but misses another as France reach last four with 2-1 victory
- The defending champions will play Morocco on Wednesday for a place in the final
Defending champions France moved into the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar on Saturday with Olivier Giroud’s header giving Didier Deschamps’ side a late lead and Harry Kane missing from the penalty spot as the 2018 winners secured a 2-1 victory at Al Bayt Stadium.
Kane fired his 84th-minute attempt over the bar having earlier levelled the scores from the spot after Aurelien Tchouameni had given France a 17th minute advantage, only for Olivier Giroud to head in what turned out to be the winner 12 minutes from time.
The French will take on Morocco on Wednesday for a place in next Sunday’s final, where they will face either Argentina or Croatia in the tournament decider.
England go home after Kane missed a penalty that would have seen him become his nation’s all-time leading scorer after he had earlier equalled Wayne Rooney’s record with his 53rd goal for the Three Lions.
“I regret that we gave them a penalty and then another penalty that they missed, but credit to my team,” said France coach Didier Deschamps. “We showed some very good things and we could still be dangerous after the second goal.