England-France quarter finals
Index
Presentation of the match
It is certainly the most interesting quarter-final between the teams that have most impressed in the previous games. Both have top-level talent in their roster, with Mbappe on one side and Bellingham on the other.
England will try to do everything to put the outgoing world champions in difficulty, starting with the true beacon of the midfield, Bellingham, the authentic protagonist of the Soutghate team. In defense on Maguire’s competitiveness and strength and in attack on the trio Saha, Kane and Foden who can create the right play at any moment to put the French in difficulty.
France, which is to be considered the favorites for the final victory, has great quality in every department, and bases its game to put Mbappe in a position to express his enormous talent. He will also try to take advantage of the flanks, especially the one on the left with Theo Hernandez, ready to cross in the centre, to serve Giroud as an authentic star in front of the opponent’s goal.
Match commentary – First half
England started forward, in the 3′ Foden kicked on goal his shot was blocked. In the 11th minute Giroud headed against Pickford. In the 14th minute Dembele’s shot goes wide. On 17′ Goal from France, Tchouameni from outside the area surprises the English goalkeeper Pickford. On the 23rd occasion for Kane who tries to surprise Lloris, the French goalkeeper rejects. In the 26th minute there was a possible penalty for England, the foul not called by the referee Sampaio was outside the area. In the 38th minute Mbappe shoots out of goal. In the 43rd minute Griezmann was booked for interrupting a clear attacking action. At the end of the first half in the 46th minute.
In the first part of the half, France appeared more decisive than England, so much so that they took the lead in the 17th minute. England after conceding took control of the game and were dangerous on occasion.
Second half
England immediately attacked with Bellingham in the 47th minute Lloris sent in a corner kick. In the 52nd minute England scored with Kane from a penalty kick following a foul by Tchouameni on Saka. On the 55th occasion for Rabiot, the English goalkeeper sends for a corner. On the 71st occasion for Maguire with a header he almost hit the post. In the 77th minute Dembele was booked for an imprudent foul on an opponent. Goal from France in the 78th minute with Giroud beating Pickford with a header.
In the 81st minute penalty for England, foul by Theo Hernandez on Mount. French booked for disrupting clear attacking action. Kane goes on the spot who makes a mistake by kicking high. In the 88th minute Mount shoots from outside but misses the target. In the 89th minute Maguire was booked for an imprudent foul against an opponent. In the 99th minute Rasford grazed the crossbar for England. At 100′ the final whistle of the referee France who wins 2-1 and flies to the semifinals.
Final analysis
Very nice match between two greats of world football. In the first half France did better, in the second half England showed off their talents who tried to change the game. A match that was decided on the one hand by Giroud with a great goal, on the other by Kane’s mistake from the penalty spot.
France finds itself repeating the same path of Russia 2018, with a very solid and experienced complex, which has two players in Mbappe and Giroud who can be decisive at any moment. Today they struggled more than they had to having faced a determined England, who, however, in the decisive moment of the match, failed to realize the opportunities they had, especially with Kane’s missed penalty.
France will find Morocco in the semifinals, in a match that has the flavor of a derby between brothers, with many implications from a political and social point of view. On the technical side, the French mustn’t make the mistake of underestimating their Moroccan cousins. as perhaps done by Spain and Portugal.
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