England suffer World Cup heartbreak as France crush dreams in quarters

Perhaps we are destined never again to win the blessed thing. With surprise outsiders Morocco waiting in the semi-final, England were on top and the near-certainty of a Harry Kane penalty to take the match into extra time. Goodness knows we have suffered enough heartache from penalties over the years but this time all that shoot-out hurt was to be wrapped up into just one kick.

It was horrible.

High, high into the sky the ball flew and with it those England dreams for another four years. Normally, the last man to leave the pitch, the England captain acknowledged the England fans and was then the first to head down the tunnel.

He does not need telling that this World Cup was there for England to win it, Wayne Rooney’s record to be bettered in the most satisfying of circumstances. And yet even then there was a glimmer of hope.

Deep, deep into added time, Marcus Rashford lined up a free kick barely 20 yards from goal. Sitting in the stands, David Beckham could barely watch. Would that it were 20 years ago and he was the one stood over the ball in the golden boots.

The ball arced, the net rippled, fans even cheered. For a moment it seemed as though everything was all right again.

But the ball had merely brushed the top of Hugo Lloris’s net and England were indeed on their way back home – presumably to smash that Countdown Clock in St George’s Park. Collectively, England can feel no shame in the manner of their exit. They had gone toe-to-toe with the defending champions and arguably out-pointed them.

But a knockout blow is precisely that and France landed their and England could not. Four years ago, Aurelien Tchouameni’s opener after just 17 minutes would probably have been enough to force Gareth Southgate’s fledgling Three Lions back into their shell.

If not the terrifying accuracy of the shot then the injustice of the fact the move started from a clear foul on Bukayo Saka by Dayot Upamecano. Over the years, though, Southgate has taught his players to look for a way back, not excuses.

Kane, who seemed at the sharpest he has been during England’s time in Qatar, forced two strong saves from his Tottenham team-mate. He had also been inches away from winning a penalty when he was tripped on the very fringes of the penalty area – a lengthy VAR check showing Theo Hernandez had got his challenge in on Kane just outside the box.

If anything, half-time seemed to galvanise England’s resolve even further and it was not long after the restart when Saka was once again upended. This time, a clumsy Tchouameni challenge was not only given as a foul, but it was very much in the area.

The first duel of the two captains went entirely to book. Kane sent Lloris the wrong way and England were back in it.

France’s response was instant, though, and no sooner had Pickford pushed aside Adrien Rabiot’s effort than Mbappe won his first foot-race with Kylian Mbappe only for Ousmane Dembele to fail to get the finishing touch.

At the same time, gaps were appearing in the heart of Les Bleus defence and in the 70th minute, Harry Maguire had a free header from a set-piece which he steered just wide. If you want a man to exploit a bit of space in the opposition box, though, it’s Olivier Giroud.

Underappreciated, largely, in England but his own country’s record goalscorer – Pickford did well to block an initial volley.

However, when the ball was swung back in, the former Arsenal and Chelsea striker nipped in front of Harry Maguire, and France were in front once again. So would England panic? Not Southgate’s new England.

Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling emerged from the much-heralded game-changing bench and almost instantly the former was shoved in the box by Hernandez. Frustratingly, it again took VAR to spot the foul.

At least with Kane holding the ball, fans knew the outcome of the spot kick was in no doubt whatsoever…

Yet another tournament slides on by with England still holding its breath.