It’s another major tournament that England will head home thinking about what could have been. And, again, it’s because of penalties.
After losing in a heartbreaking penalty shootout in the Euro final to Italy, England lost 2-1 to France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals after Harry Kane missed a penalty kick in the 84th minute.
Earlier in the match, Kane tied Wayne Rooney as England’s all-time scorer on a penalty against his Tottenham teammate Hugo Lloris in the 54th minute to tie the match. So, surely, when one of the best strikers to ever play for the Three Lions in their illustrious history stepped back to the penalty spot, Kane would even the game again.
Instead, Kane skied the ball over the goal, and the world could hear the collective dread of a nation.
HARRY KANE MISSES THE PENALTY 😱 pic.twitter.com/UwDpI8qXpQ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 10, 2022
Fans in England react to Harry Kane's penalty miss pic.twitter.com/s05ye2m5NZ
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 10, 2022
Six minutes before Kane’s miss, France took the lead in the 78th minute on a header from its all-time leading scorer, Olivier Giroud. The ball deflected off the arm of England defender Harry Maguire and past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
France responded with what would have been one of the dumbest defensive plays had Kane converted the kick and England won. On a pretty harmless ball into the penalty area, France defender Theo Hernández shoved England midfielder Mason Mount in the back in the middle of the box.
Mount would not have touched the cross had Hernández not fouled him. The referee initially let the play go on but was told to review the play and called a penalty.
Heartbreak for Harry Kane and England 💔 pic.twitter.com/NbvULNfoFw
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) December 10, 2022
Kane was the obvious choice to take the penalty. He entered the game 16 of 19 from the spot for England and 39 for 46 at the club level.
Now, instead of facing underdog Morocco for a chance to go to the final, England is wondering how big of an opportunity slipped through its grasp.
The trolls are going to be out for Harry Kane tonight, ignoring the goal after goal he's scored for his country. The 10 he scored to take England to this World Cup and the two goals and three assists he produced when he arrived. He'll come back stronger. He always does.
— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) December 10, 2022
Joy and devastation, the juxtaposition of sport and life.
Harry Kane is doubled over in grief. France celebrates victory just beside. #ENGFRA pic.twitter.com/ddhq1A9VBu
— Meg Swanick (@Meg_Swanick) December 10, 2022
Gareth Southgate was there to console Harry Kane after the final whistle ❤️ pic.twitter.com/eynZD8Mpki
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 10, 2022
I’m sorry but I’m glad it was Kane and not Saka or Rashford missing the penalty. Ain’t gone be able to blame the Black folks this time bruv. Lol
— Kevín (@KevOnStage) December 10, 2022
Let’s see if England treats Kane like they did Saka, Rashford and Sancho 👀
— Ibrahim H. (@KingOfQueenz) December 10, 2022
Live scenes of Harry Kane’s penalty pic.twitter.com/5aO4y7hWq5
— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) December 10, 2022
An agony for Harry Kane. A National Hero. An incredible footballer. A human being who should not become a target for keyboard warrior hate, but in our sick world will 😢 pic.twitter.com/YOnKQDOQeS
— roger bennett (@rogbennett) December 10, 2022