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Aurélien Tchouaméni (centre): made it 1-0 for France
Photo:
IMAGO/Javier Garcia/Shutterstock / IMAGO/Shutterstock
The reigning soccer world champion is in the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar.
France defeated England 2-1 (1-0) in a rousing and fast-paced game and now meets surprise team Morocco, who defeated Portugal 1-0.
In the second semi-final Croatia and Argentina face each other.
The French got into the game better.
After a nice but unsuccessful header from Olivier Giroud, it was midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni who just shot from distance and hit the bottom left of the net of the English goal – 1-0 (18th).
Controversial VAR check
After that, almost only England played: Luke Shaw shot a free kick into the arms of keeper Hugo Lloris (21st), Harry Kane also failed twice at the goalkeeper (22nd/29th).
In addition, Kane did not get a penalty after a foul on the edge of the penalty area (or in it?) despite VAR checks (25th).
After the break, the goalscorer became the culprit: Tchouaméni fouled Bukayo Saka in the French penalty area, this time the referee awarded the penalty.
England's captain Kane came up against his club-mate from Tottenham Hotspur and scored to equalize (54th).
For Kane it was England's 53rd goal and he now shares the title of all-time leading goalscorer with Wayne Rooney.
Kane needed 80 caps for that, Rooney 120. It was Kane's eighth goal at the World Cup.
Opportunities in minutes
The game was now fast-paced, both teams had chances to take the lead: Adrien Rabiot with a long-range shot, a narrow header from Harry Maguire on the outside of the post, Kane, two Saka, two Giroud - all top-class opportunities, but a goal did not come once.
Until the 78th minute: France attacker Giroud beat Maguire in the middle after an Antoine Griezmann cross, headed into the defender's shoulder and from there the ball went past keeper Jordan Pickford into the goal.
There was great excitement shortly after the goal: England's Mason Mount was violently knocked down by Theo Hernández.
After a VAR check, the referee awarded a penalty.
Again there was the duel Kane against Lloris - and this time the Englishman shot the ball over the goal (84th).
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