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England has not won the FIFA World Cup since 1966. But this was supposed to be the year that it football finally came home.
England took fourth in the 2018 World Cup in Russia and finished as the runner-up to Italy at the UEFA European Championship a year ago.
This year’s World Cup team was loaded with talent from front to back and led by perhaps the best group of attacking players in the world. Up until Saturday’s semifinal, the English looked every bit a threat to lift the World Cup trophy.
But in their way stood defending World Cup champion and perennial powerhouse France. The French got on the board first thanks to a thunderbolt from young Real Madrid midfielder Aurelian Tchouameni.
Tchouaméni with a STRIKE
FRANCE TAKES THE LEAD 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/mXfgPWifES
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 10, 2022
France took that 1-0 lead into the half. But England equalized shortly after halftime thanks to a penalty kick by Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane.
HARRY KANE TIES IT FOR ENGLAND 🏴 pic.twitter.com/db775dnklP
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 10, 2022
It appeared the English had the upper hand at that point. But France’s all-time leading scorer, Olivier Giroud, delivered again. Giroud headed home a cross from Antoine Griezmann with just over 10 minutes left to regain the lead.
GIROUD PUTS FRANCE BACK ON TOP 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/KRBFrFkgPS
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 10, 2022
England refused to roll over and die, however. French left back Theo Hernandez fouled Chelsea’s Mason Mount in the box for a second penalty just moments after Giroud’s goal. Kane again stepped up to take it against Tottenham teammate Hugo Lloris. But this time he wasn’t so lucky…
HARRY KANE MISSES THE PENALTY 😱 pic.twitter.com/UwDpI8qXpQ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 10, 2022
Kane sent the penalty flying over the crossbar and France held on to win 2-1 and advance to the semifinals where it will take on Morocco.
Soccer Fans Floored By Stunning Harry Kane Penalty Miss
Fans were absolutely stunned.
Fans in England react to Harry Kane's penalty miss pic.twitter.com/s05ye2m5NZ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 10, 2022
HARRY KANE LET HIS COUNTRY DOWN 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀 pic.twitter.com/X9qtIIfUzy
— sham (@bitterarab) December 10, 2022
https://twitter.com/signoftimesH/status/1601682375070863360?s=20&t=c91x5Bsj00JXLDksfOhysg
How do you miss such an obvious pen in real time?
— Justin Horneker (@hornekerjustin) December 10, 2022
https://twitter.com/amberleasea/status/1601679755023376384?s=20&t=c91x5Bsj00JXLDksfOhysg
Now England will have to wait another four years and it will be at least 60 years between World Cup victories. The French, meanwhile, are still alive to be the first repeat champions since Brazil in 1958 and 1982