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France claimed a 2-1 defeat to send England packing from Qatar. The Three Lions matched the world champions for the duration of the game and were left ruing small mistakes.
Aurélien Tchouaméni opened the scoring before Harry Kane equalized early in the second half. A sublime cross from Antoine Griezmann saw Olivier Giroud send a header to give France the lead again. Kane could have equalized from the spot again but sent the ball into orbit from 12 yards out.
Despite playing the match trailing Les Bleus, England bossed the proceedings and created better chances. With a plethora of referee decisions going against them, they were left wondering what-if as they got on their flights back home.
Former England manager, Fabio Capello, shared his insight on the high-profile knockout affair. The tactician did not like England’s approach to the game and believes the long ball approach hindered their veracity in front of the goal.
Pickford’s nerves affected Three Lions
📸 | Jordan Pickford stopping the camera man getting close to a distraught Harry Kane.
An absolute role model, @JPickford1! 💙 pic.twitter.com/hEjCxhmEJ1
— Everton Extra (@Everton_Extra) December 10, 2022
France took the lead through Tchouaméni, who’s outside the box shot did not give Jordan Pickford any room to stop. Unlike Ben Foster, Capello did not find fault in Pickford’s goalkeeping but his reaction after it that let England down.
Pickford stopped playing short balls to players around him and started sending long balls into France’s area after the goal. This did not allow England to build from the back and were always scrapping for the ball in the middle of the pitch.
“The big mistake they made was the keeper,” Capello told Sky Sports.
“Not that the first goal was a mistake but after when he had the ball he always played long balls.
“It was possible to play the ball [short]. My idea of football, when you play you have to play. If it’s impossible or your teammates are not in a good position, then you play the long ball. He always played long balls.
“It was the same mistake he made when they played Italy in the Euro final at Wembley.
“After they were winning, England started to play long balls, not playing out from the goalkeeper. I don’t understand why.’
Kane should not have taken the second penalty
Absolutely gutted. We’ve given it everything and it’s come down to a small detail which I take responsibility for. There’s no hiding from it, it hurts and it’ll take some time to get over it but that’s part of sport. pic.twitter.com/lw5Esl4fnA
— Harry Kane (@HKane) December 11, 2022
Although Capello enjoyed success with Juventus and Real Madrid, but his impact in the international arena remains limited. The manager was in charge of the England Lions for four years between 2008 and 2012 and knows the strategem for such affairs.
England captain Harry Kane and France captain Hugo Lloris have been together at Tottenham for the last nine years. Knowing full well that the two are well-versed with each other on a regular basis, the Englishman should not have taken the deciding penalty.
“Another really important thing, in my career I took penalties and I missed after 11 penalties because the opposing goalkeeper was one who played with me [in the same team] for two years before,” Capello added.
“It’s the same after Kane scored the first penalty, the second was a bit more difficult. This for me was a problem.
“I think they had to choose another player.”
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