As it happened: England v France, World Cup quarter-final

6:24PM

· SATURDAY

Toploader perform ahead of the Fifa World Cup Quarter-Final match at the Al Bayt Stadium.

Source: Alamy Stock Photo

7:03PM

· SATURDAY

France have begun brightly.

They’re seeing plenty of the ball, while the crowd is buzzing every time Mbappe receives it.

7:08PM

· SATURDAY

Giroud goes down in the box as Mbappe’s cross comes in.

They haven’t shown a replay yet but there didn’t seem to be much in it — France barely even bothered to appeal for a penalty.

7:12PM

· SATURDAY

Dembele crosses for Giroud, but it’s slightly behind the former Arsenal man, whose diving header is easily saved by Pickford.

France are definitely in the ascendancy in these early stages.

7:13PM

· SATURDAY

Youri Djorkaeff (left) and David Beckham in the stands.

Source: Alamy Stock Photo

7:15PM

· SATURDAY

France counter menacingly.

Mbappe crosses for Dembele, but the angle is tight and he can’t direct his attempt on target.

England are struggling to get out of their half at the moment.

7:17PM

· SATURDAY

ENGLAND 0-1 FRANCE (TCHOUAMENI 17)

7:19PM

· SATURDAY

France take the lead through a swift counter-attack.

It ends with Griezmann laying it to Tchouaméni on the edge of the area, and the midfielder’s superb strike finds the corner of the net.

7:21PM

· SATURDAY

England get a free kick in a promising position, but Shaw’s effort is straight at Lloris.

It will be interesting to see how England respond to the setback of going behind.

7:22PM

· SATURDAY

Kane runs through on goal but Lloris is off his line quickly to narrow the angle and make the save.

Much better from England now.

7:24PM

· SATURDAY

Here’s a look at that brilliant opening goal…

0-1

GOAL FRANCE!

Aurelien Tchouameni with a stunning strike as Jordan Pickford couldn’t stretch his arms out long enough to save.

Live updates: https://t.co/ZpRyodB5Y2

Watch live on @rte2 and @rteplayer: https://t.co/1CdVcPrCaZ#FifaWorldCup #RTEsoccer #ENGFRA pic.twitter.com/eLux35i0nz

— RT Soccer (@RTEsoccer) December 10, 2022

7:27PM

· SATURDAY

Kane goes down under a challenge from Upamecano.

After a VAR check, the penalty is not given.

Judging by replays, the initial infringement appeared to take place outside the area.

7:28PM

· SATURDAY

France’s Aurelien Tchouameni (third left) celebrates scoring.

Source: Alamy Stock Photo

7:30PM

· SATURDAY

Good save by Lloris to keep out a powerful deflected Kane strike from the edge of the area.

England have been the better team since going behind.

As I type, a corner causes chaos in the French area, but it’s eventually scrambled clear.

7:32PM

· SATURDAY

England’s Harry Kane reacts to a foul.

Source: Alamy Stock Photo

7:36PM

· SATURDAY

France have been better in recent minutes, enjoying a sustained spell of possession.

They haven’t been able to create any clear-cut chances, however.

7:38PM

· SATURDAY

England’s Jude Bellingham (left) and France’s Kylian Mbappe battle for the ball.

Source: Alamy Stock Photo

7:40PM

· SATURDAY

Hernandez crosses for Mbappe, whose first-time attempt on the half-volley is well over.

It was a difficult chance, but the PSG man will still feel he could have done better by his high standards.

7:41PM

· SATURDAY

France do look nervy and vulnerable any time England get into their box.

The problem is that Southgate’s side just haven’t attacked them for any real sustained period.

7:43PM

· SATURDAY

Griezmann is booked for cynically tripping Walker as he glides past him.

There have been plenty of tactical fouls from France in particular so far.

7:46PM

· SATURDAY

England’s Harry Maguire and John Stones during the Fifa World Cup Quarter-Final match.

Source: Alamy Stock Photo

7:49PM

· SATURDAY

It hasn’t been a half full of goals or chances, but it’s been an absorbing encounter regardless.

As the first period comes to a close, Foden overhits a corner — England have been uncharacteristically wasteful from set pieces.

7:50PM

· SATURDAY

HALF-TIME: ENGLAND 0-1 FRANCE

7:52PM

· SATURDAY

So a tight, tense opening period comes to a close.

France probably deserve their lead as they have been marginally the better side, although Harry Kane has gone close on more than one occasion.

It’s finally balanced with the second half and possibly extra time to play.

8:06PM

· SATURDAY

The second half has begun…

8:08PM

· SATURDAY

Close!

A corner falls to Bellingham and his shot from the edge of the box has to be tipped over.

From the ensuing set piece, Maguire’s goalbound header from a Foden delivery is cleared off the line.

France are under the cosh right now.

8:12PM

· SATURDAY

Penalty to England!

Saka goes down under a rash challenge from Tchouaméni. 

8:13PM

· SATURDAY

ENGLAND 1-1 FRANCE (KANE 54)

8:16PM

· SATURDAY

Harry Kane sends clubmate Lloris the wrong way.

That’s his 53rd goal at international level, bringing him level with Wayne Rooney.

Rabiot almost responds immediately for France, as he gets plenty of space on the edge of the area, but Pickford gets down well to make the save.

8:17PM

· SATURDAY

Mbappe gets by Walker but Dembele can’t properly control the 23-year-old’s low cross and England ultimately clear.

You get the sense that France have woken up since conceding that goal.

8:20PM

· SATURDAY

Here’s a look at the equaliser.

1-1

Harry Kane scores England’s equaliser from the penalty spot.

Live updates: https://t.co/ZpRyodjv6u

Watch live on @rte2 and @rteplayer: https://t.co/1CdVcPa1jr#FifaWorldCup #RTEsoccer #ENGFRA pic.twitter.com/7MwZMhDa1m

— RT Soccer (@RTEsoccer) December 10, 2022

8:21PM

· SATURDAY

Saka goes on a mazy dribble into the area but his shot is tame and easily saved by Lloris.

This game is so finely balanced that you really feel it could go either way.

8:23PM

· SATURDAY

England’s Harry Kane scores his side’s first goal of the game.

Source: Alamy Stock Photo

8:25PM

· SATURDAY

France have looked increasingly toothless going forward.

Giroud, in particular, has offered very little.

8:31PM

· SATURDAY

So close!

Henderson’s free-kick finds Maguire, whose header hits the outside of the post and goes wide as France breathe a sigh of relief.

England are looking the stronger side at the moment.

8:32PM

· SATURDAY

Another half-chance!

Shaw puts in a dangerous low that Hernandez does well to turn behind for a corner.

The referee then awards France a free kick for a push by Saka on the defender.

8:33PM

· SATURDAY

England’s Harry Maguire reacts to a missed chance.

Source: Alamy Stock Photo

8:36PM

· SATURDAY

Hernandez floats a ball into the area but it’s just too high for Giroud to make a decisive connection.

Moments earlier, the striker was claiming a penalty for an off-the-ball shove by Shaw.

8:37PM

· SATURDAY

ENGLAND 1-2 FRANCE (GIROUD 78)

8:39PM

· SATURDAY

Giroud has done very little but he suddenly pops up at a vital moment.

Griezmann puts in an inviting cross and the experienced attacker’s header takes a slight deflection off Maguire and goes into the net, leaving Pickford with no chance.

8:41PM

· SATURDAY

England have made a double change in reaction to the goal.

Mount and Sterling are on for Saka and Henderson.

Coman has replaced Dembele for France

8:42PM

· SATURDAY

Penalty to England!

Hernandez is penalised for knocking over Mount as a long ball is played into the box.

8:44PM

· SATURDAY

HARRY KANE MISSES THE PENALTY!

8:45PM

· SATURDAY

It’s a terrible penalty.

Kane just blazes the penalty over the bar in a Roberto-Baggio-at-USA-94-esque moment.

England then make another change, with Rashford replacing Foden.

8:46PM

· SATURDAY

Here’s a look at the Giroud goal…

1-2

GOAL FRANCE!

Was it Olivier Giroud or was it a Harry Maguire OG? Anyway France retake the lead.

Live updates: https://t.co/ZpRyodk2W2

Watch live on @rte2 and @rteplayer: https://t.co/1CdVcPaz8Z#FifaWorldCup #RTEsoccer #ENGFRA pic.twitter.com/MCRAkz4Jub

— RT Soccer (@RTEsoccer) December 10, 2022

8:48PM

· SATURDAY

And here’s that penalty incident and the subsequent miss…

1-2

Penalty awarded to England, after a Theo Hernandez barge on Mason Mount.

Live updates: https://t.co/ZpRyodjv6u

Watch live on @rte2 and @rteplayer: https://t.co/1CdVcPa1jr#FifaWorldCup #RTEsoccer #ENGFRA pic.twitter.com/tKle8I9arX

— RT Soccer (@RTEsoccer) December 10, 2022

1-2

Harry Kane blazes over from the penalty spot!

Live updates: https://t.co/ZpRyodk2W2

Watch live on @rte2 and @rteplayer: https://t.co/1CdVcPaz8Z#FifaWorldCup #RTEsoccer #ENGFRA pic.twitter.com/skbbl1J3mt

— RT Soccer (@RTEsoccer) December 10, 2022

8:49PM

· SATURDAY

Mason Mount finds himself in plenty of space but blazes it over.

It’s getting towards desperation time for England.

8:50PM

· SATURDAY

England finally get their first yellow card of the tournament.

Maguire is booked for a late challenge on Griezmann.

8:50PM

· SATURDAY

There will be EIGHT minutes of stoppage time…

8:52PM

· SATURDAY

France’s Olivier Giroud scores their side’s second goal.

Source: Alamy Stock Photo

8:53PM

· SATURDAY

England’s Harry Kane reacts after missing a penalty.

Source: Alamy Stock Photo

8:55PM

· SATURDAY

England haven’t really created a decent chance in these dying minutes.

You get the sense they might have time for one more opportunity.

There are about three minutes of stoppage time left now.

8:57PM

· SATURDAY

John Stones is currently down with a foot injury.

There should still be about three minutes left once play recommences.

8:57PM

· SATURDAY

Another England change.

Grealish is on for the injured Stones.

Presumably, that means Rice will slot in at centre-back.

8:59PM

· SATURDAY

Maguire is fouled on the edge of the box.

Big chance for England now with this free kick.

9:00PM

· SATURDAY

Rahsford free kick goes inches over the bar.

That’s surely that.

9:01PM

· SATURDAY

FULL-TIME: ENGLAND 1-2 FRANCE

9:08PM

· SATURDAY

It’s all over and France have edged it.

There was very little between the sides.

In the end, it was a tale of two strikers — Olivier Giroud came up trumps at the vital moment to head home having had a quiet game.

Meanwhile, not for the first time at a major tournament, a penalty has cost England.

This time Harry Kane is the man left to rue a poor spot kick as France held on for a vital win.

England can still emerge with their heads held high though — they were the better side for long periods and significantly limited opportunities for the French attackers.

Still, though, this feels like a serious missed opportunity for Gareth Southgate’s men particularly with so many of the big nations already out.

Instead, France will face Morocco in the semi-final, while Argentina meet Croatia in the other game.

A repeat of the 2018 final is still on, while France are still on course to become the first side since Brazil in 1962 to retain the trophy.

9:10PM

· SATURDAY

France players react to the missed penalty.

Source: Alamy Stock Photo

9:13PM

· SATURDAY

Right, that’s all from me for now.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

We’ll have more reaction to come shortly.