The major decisions that went against England in unlucky World Cup quarter-final defeat vs France

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England’s World Cup exit at the hands of France may just be one of the most frustrating of all of their recent heartache in major international tournaments.

The Three Lions made it to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and didn’t quite perform at their best as an underrated Croatia side made it through, while they were again just not quite good enough as they lost to Italy on penalties in the final of Euro 2020 last year.

Against France, however, the holders of the World Cup and one of the pre-tournament favourites, England gave a really good account of themselves in a positive display that showed they no longer fear the bigger nations.

In the end, they can look back at some poor officiating that massively favoured Les Bleus on the night.

First up, there’s this clear foul on Bukayo Saka in the build-up to a France goal…

It’s really not clear how the referee could have failed to spot this, and it proved a turning point in the game.

For some reason, there was also this complete lack of a response to another clear foul, this time on Harry Kane…

The players were visibly frustrated with the referee throughout the game, and it’s a real shame to exit a tournament in this manner.

Of course, England striker Kane should’ve done a lot better with his second penalty, but one has to wonder if it would have been quite as important a moment if the referee had otherwise been a bit more fair to both teams.

More Stories Bukayo Saka Harry Kane Jude Bellingham Kyle Walker

12 Comments

  1. Rubbish. After the “foul” on Saka, who by the way spent more time on the ground than on his feet, England were taken to pieces for 30 seconds before the goal.

  2. There’s so much corruption in football now, that they choose the winners before hand. Referees are obviously taking massive back handers to make sure it happens, and VAR are the same. The game is BENT through and through and in my opinion has died a sad death.

  3. The most inept, corrupt referee I have ever seen. Should never be allowed to take charge of another game again. A disgrace.

  4. The ref was a joke, how can FIFA warrant giving such an importance match to a man who hadn’t a clue how to ref this match, in my opinion the people to blame is Fifa

  5. Always a what if. Let’s face it….the French team scored two goals….you’re trying to rely on penalties? Come on, that’s a joke!
    England did well, France took their chances…..end of!

  6. How many shots on target did the “MIGHTY ENGLAND” have compared to france how many passes did you put together…….. And some fools are suggesting the match to be repeated!!! Are you aware about anything in football

    The truth is your team is clearly over rated and were beaten by the french team fare & square and if the game can be played again today you’ll still lose and cry foul, go look for san marino and refain your mojo

  7. Yes the ref was never good enough for a major tournament, his decision making was terrible but England whilst not getting a few decisions started too slow to the point it was boring ,which resulted in the
    m playing catch up once France scored
    All I can say is bring on boxing day ,super six,and Jeff stelling, merry xmas

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