Devastated England fans drown their sorrows as Three Lions lose nail-biting World Cup clash 2-1 against France
DEVASTATED England fans last night drowned their sorrows after the Three Lions lost a nail-biting World Cup quarter-final 2-1 to France.
England battled hard in the second half but heartbroken Harry Kane hit his second penalty of the night over the bar – and with it missed a golden late chance to draw the Three Lions level again.
Heartbroken fans in the stadium looked deflated after the defeat – but they will have been filled with pride as Gareth Southgate’s men put in a brave second-half performance having gone 1-0 down.
Captain Kane equalised from the spot early in the half after Bukayo Saka was fouled to give millions of fans across the country hope that a comeback was on the cards.
France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was kept busy as England created a string of chances, but France reclaimed the lead when Olivier Giroud headed home.
Just seven minutes from the end, Kane was given another chance from the spot after Mason Mount was bundled over.
But, so often the Three Lions hero, Kane blasted the spot kick over the bar.
Southgate comforted his bereft captain after the final whistle. But it is France who go through to face Morocco in Wednesday’s semi-final.
Fans in pubs across the nation had been glued to their screens and endured a rollercoaster of emotions.
And they backed our boys to the end, insisting England were the better team and just got unlucky.
John Andrews, 39, who watched in Bristol, said: “We didn’t deserve to lose and should have had a penalty in the first half.
“I couldn’t believe some of the decisions the ref gave. I’m gutted.”
Gemma Wilson, 32, from Bristol, said: “I really thought Rashford’s free-kick was in.
“We deserved to get more out of the game. France were lucky. I’m so proud of the team.”
Arts practitioner Andrew Walker, 26, who watched in Newcastle, said: “I’m proud of the team. I think the penalty that Harry Kane missed was just down to pressure.
“Losing to France is no disgrace, they are the World Champions at the end of the day.”
His marketing manager friend Jae McDougall added: “I actually feel a lot less down about that defeat than when we got beat against Italy in the Euro final.
“This time we actually played well and gave a really good account of ourselves. We were the better side against France which says a lot.”
Prince William wrote: “Gareth, Harry and the whole England squad and staff, gutted for all of you. You put so much into this tournament and we are all so proud of you. Heads held high and on to the next one!
Piers Morgan tweeted: “You won’t meet a more decent honest footballer or person than Harry Kane – or a better leader of the England team. Absolutely heart-breaking for him.”
Distress at seeing England go one down early in the first half turned to anger when England were denied what looked like a clear penalty.
Piers Morgan wrote online: “That was a blatant penalty.” Irish pundit Roy Keane agreed it should have been a penalty.
Lineker added: “One hundred per cent foul on Saka. One hundred per cent penalty on Kane.”
The British Beer and Pub Association hoped the 7pm kick-off time in the UK would encourage punters to visit their local early.
It predicted six million more pints could be sold during the quarter-final, providing a £26million boost to the industry.
The RAC suggested football fans should leave their cars at home and go on foot to watch the match due to the “big freeze” across the country.
