Sports

France advances to semifinals at World Cup, tops England 2-1

The defending World Cup champs still have a chance to be the first nation to repeat as champions in 60 years.

England's Harry Kane, right, and France's Aurelien Tchouameni challenge for the ball during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between England and France, at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) The Associated Press

By JAMES ROBSON, Associated Press

December 10, 2022

AL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — Kylian Mbappe and France made it back to the semifinals of the World Cup on Saturday by beating England 2-1.

Olivier Giroud scored in the 78th minute at Al Bayt Stadium to keep France on course to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups.

England striker Harry Kane had a chance to even the score late in the match but he sent a penalty attempt over the bar.

France overcomes England to advance to the 2022 FIFA World Cup Semifinals and becomes the first reigning champions to reach the Semifinals since 1998! 🇫🇷🐓

Relive all the action in our 90′ in 90″ highlights ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/O6cEbiOOnK

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 10, 2022

It was his second spot kick of the match. He earlier scored to make it 1-1 after Aurelien Tchouameni had given France the lead.

France will next face Morocco in the semifinals on Wednesday. The Moroccans became the first African team to reach the semifinals at the World Cup by beating Portugal 1-0.