Despite the efforts of Tottenham Hotspur hitman Harry Kane in England v France, an Aurelien Tchouameni goal gave Les Bleus a 1-0 lead in the World Cup quarter-final.
The Real Madrid midfielder unleashed a rifled effort past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to give the French – the reigning champions – a lead on 17 minutes.
The Tottenham marksman and Three Lions captain has sprung to life since that Aurelien Tchouameni goal.
Kane tested Spurs teammate Hugo Lloris with a fierce effort from 25 yards, before being fouled by Dayot Upamecano inside the penalty area but referee Wilton Sampaio did not point to the spot, nor did a VAR check favour Gareth Southgate’s side.
The 29-year-old has been his country’s best player by a distance.
And here’s how Jamie Carragher on Twitter described his first-half performance:
England v France
Lauded by Arsene Wenger this week [HITC Sport], the Lilywhites attacker might not have another chance to win the World Cup.
Come 2026, Kane will be on the verge of turning 33 and although he might still be an active footballer, whether he’s still involved in the international scene remains to be seen.
The odds are stacked against the English, because we know France have the pedigree to see this one out, having won this competition during the last edition of it in 2018.
But it’s been an odd World Cup this time around and absolutely nobody in a white shirt will be consigned to the belief that this Aurelien Tchouameni goal will be the last in this outing.
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