FIFA WC: France edge out England 2-1 in dramatic QF

France will take on Morocco in the semifinals after a thrilling, topsy-turvy win over England at Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday.

Olivier Giroud’s deflected second-half header ultimately proved to be the winner after Harry Kane blazed over a late penalty, having earlier scored from the spot to cancel out Aurelien Tchouameni’s beautifully struck opener.

Kane was England's penalty hero, then villain, as the Three Lions were edged out in a dramatic quarterfinal against France.

England huffed and puffed thereafter, with Marcus Rashford curling just over from a late free-kick. But the holders held on in this breathless encounter, albeit only just, and can now look forward to a last-four date with Qatar 2022’s surprise package.

With his 53rd international goal coming via the first of those penalties, Kane had equalled Wayne Rooney’s national scoring record.

The Three Lions captain, Russia 2018’s top scorer, reached this impressive tally in 40 fewer appearances (80 to 120) than his former team-mate required.

Neither team was able to maintain control as momentum shifted one direction, then the other, with England starting the brighter before France capitalised on a short spell of pressure.

Tchouameni looked like a natural marksman as he smashed a right-footed shot into the bottom-left corner from 25 yards for his first-ever competitive goal for Les Bleus.

The remainder of the first half then became something of a personal battle between Kane and Hugo Lloris, club-mates at Tottenham Hotspur, with the keeper racing from his goal to save at the striker’s feet before agilely tipping away a deflected 20-yard effort.

England’s captain would not be denied, however, and claimed a deserved England equaliser nine minutes into the second half with a trademark penalty into the top-left corner after the lively Bukayo Saka had been upended.