France defeated England 2-1 in their quarter-final match at the Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar on Sunday and proceeds to the semi-finals.
Aurelien Tchouameni’s long shot in the 17th minute gave the defending champions the lead. England levelled in the 54th minute as Harry Kane scored a penalty. Oliver Giroud restored France’s advantage in the 78th minute. Kane had another chance to equalise for England, but he missed his penalty. The last minute failed attempt my Marcus Rashford at a free kick sealed the deal for France.
The four World Cup semi-finalists are now confirmed. Following Croatia and Argentina’s penalty shootout victory against Brazil and the Netherlands, Morocco defeated Portugal to advance, and Kane’s missed penalty puts France in the semi-finals. Semi-finals will take place on Wednesday and Thursday.
Malini Yugendran is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Auckland.
