To paraphrase the SAS with regards England's match:
Who Scores, Wins.
England were the better team, they played the better football, they were unfortunate with the choice of referee and his decisions but football is about who scores the most goals. France did that and therefore they are, rightly, through.
Kane went from potential legend to complete bottler within a few seconds but I don't blame him for the loss. If anything he had a very good game, he was the right guy to take the kick - our penalty specialist, - he takes them well and I agree with his power into the roof style. If it had been saved by Lloris then I think Kane could have left with his head held high but a penalty taker should never miss the target. It's 12 yards from the spot to the goal, there is no defender to put the player off and he knows that any shot on target has a good chance of scoring, whilst a shot on target will never score. He's an 80+% scorer of penalties for England and he blazed it over the top with no foot slip or scuffed spot. He let the team down, but as I said he's not to blame for the loss.
Southgate left changes till late, I understand that, even if I don't agree. We were killing the French defence with players who could dribble through or run past. Saka was dominating and Rashford, who has looked great this world cup, would have done the same. i'd have brought Rashford on for foden early in the second half - proactive sub. When we were losing to then bring on Sterling and Mount and Grealish who have been miserable this competition and this season in the prem was an abomination of a choice, especially when he took Saka off. and of course how can I finish without mentioning the player who was never used, the English player with the best G/A in the Prem over the last 18 months, the in-form player who not only dribbles past players and plays great through balls but also scores. How Maddison wasn't thrown on in desperation by a manager who only plays his favourites, still amazes me. It probably wouldn't have changed anything but Mount, Grealish and Sterling were certainly NOT the answer.
So England Bottle a great chance led by the Spursiest of players (that's for you Baph
) and another golden opportunity goes to waste.