IN the much-anticipated matchup between two European soccer superpowers, France held off England 2-1 to advance to the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup. The victory marked France’s first-ever World Cup win against their across-the-Channel rival.
France drew first blood in the first half when Aurélien Tchouaméni scored at the 17th minute to make the score 1-0, which it would remain until halftime. After the break and at the 54th minute, England forward Harry Kane knotted the score 1-1 on a penalty kick. However, 20 minutes later, France’s Olivier Giroud headed in a strike past England goalie Jordan Pickford for the match’s deciding goal. (Kane, England’s lone goalscorer, also missed a penalty kick that would have tied the game at the 84th minute.)
Saturday’s match marked the first time in 40 years — and only the third time ever — that the English and French teams have faced off in a World Cup game: In both previous meetings, in 1966 and 1982, England was victorious.
Prior to the England vs. France matchup, Morocco became the first-ever African nation to advance to a World Cup semifinals when they stunned the soccer world with a 1-0 win over Portugal, a loss that left star Cristiano Ronaldo, playing in perhaps his final FIFA World Cup, in tears.
Morocco will face France in Wednesday, Dec. 14, while previous quarterfinal winners Argentina and Croatia will play Tuesday, Dec. 13.
