ENG v FRA

[Bin Ont Turf]

Unlucky to lose, probably the better team.

The quality of Greizmann was the difference in the end. What a cross.

Brilliant cross no doubt, with Stones doing nothing and not being anywhere, and Maguire slow to react.

[bfcjg]

Better teams then us have been knocked out by weaker teams , that's my crumb of comfort.

[ElectroClaret]

Southgate..."fine margins"
Heard that before somewhere...

[Cleveleys_claret]

all day long, it's FIFA's dream final

Tournament in Qatar. Qatari backed PSG players. Doesnt take a rocket scientist, that Messi non booking yesterday showed it

[Spiral]

When all is said and done it feels nice to have my England back, the one I grew up watching, you know, shite. All this coming-close-to-winning-trophies lark felt proper foreign, not English at all, no no no.

[Cleveleys_claret]

And that's why he changed his mind on the England second penalty, was it?
What a load of horses**t.

There are some things you just can't deny. He was all for not giving it until he realised how obvs it was, or the man in his ear let him know

[JohnDearyMe]

Griezmann did the square root of f*** all

Best French player on display tonight

[FCBurnley]

We deservedly equalized then set back as normal and lost. France were poor and have zero chance of winning the WC We have screwed up one of our best chances of winning the whole thing
France found a way to win. We found a way to lose again

[FCBurnley]

Best French player on display tonight

Yes but lucky not to see red

[Aclaret]

We deservedly equalized then set back as normal and lost. France were poor and have zero chance of winning the WC We have screwed up one of our best chances of winning the whole thing
France found a way to win. We found a way to lose again

Just like Euros final v Italy, Southgate managed a way to lose it.....So Close again yet nowhere fckin near !

[ElectroClaret]

Oh well, I'll cheer meself up by watching the Rovers/PNE highlights on ITV4 at ten.

[Barlickclaret]

Just like Euros final v Italy, Southgate managed a way to lose it.....So Close again yet nowhere fckin near !

Here we go again, I suppose Southgate missed the pen, I suppose Southgate let one in from 25 yrd, but people on here need the fix of blaming people.

[KRBFC]

Just like Euros final v Italy, Southgate managed a way to lose it.....So Close again yet nowhere fckin near !

Oh yeah, all Southgates fault. Idiot

[NewClaret]

We got the pens because we were causing them problems in open play.

Didn’t bring a save out of Lloris from what I can recall.

[RVclaret]

Didn’t bring a save out of Lloris from what I can recall.

Sorry? Kane first half one on one? Kane shot from outside the box. Lloris outstanding save vs Bellingham.

[tiger76]

Just like Euros final v Italy, Southgate managed a way to lose it.....So Close again yet nowhere fckin near !

We've found a way to lose since Alf took Bobby Charlton off against West Germany in 1970 when 2-0 up it seems to be part of the England psyche.

I hoped this new breed had changed that mentality but sadly it was a familiar exit for England again.

Played well in patches however if you miss glit-edged chances and then defend weakly you won't beat the better sides I'm afraid.

[KRBFC]

Didn’t bring a save out of Lloris from what I can recall.

Just admit you didn't watch the game and wanted England to lose so you could moan on here

[Belgianclaret]

Best chance ever to win the WC since 66 I’m afraid.

However, at least they showed some will to drive forward and deserved more.

Plus a group of players that will be stronger in 2-4 years time.

After Belgium you’ve got your own golden generation now

[Lowbankclaret]

It’s Simple, we were robbed.
France first goal was a foul in the build up.
Then we should have had a pen.
Saka fouled again and again not given.

Ref was a disgrace

[jedi_master]

Surprised people are criticising us.

We were the better team against the reigning World Champions who had the best player in the world playing for them. Referee was giving everything to them throughout the game (even though we had two certain pens, it’s still the case!) as well.

We were unlucky and if Kane puts that away I fancy our subs would have killed them in extra time. They don’t have the bench quality we do. Southgate cannot be held to account for this tournament, for me.

[ElectroClaret]

We've found a way to lose since Alf took Bobby Charlton off against West Germany in 1970 when 2-0 up it seems to be part of the England psyche.

And of course, we had the misfortune to have that donut Bonetti in goal as well in that game

[JohnDearyMe]

Surprised people are criticising us.

We were the better team against the reigning World Champions who had the best player in the world playing for them. Referee was giving everything to them throughout the game (even though we had two certain pens, it’s still the case!) as well.

We were unlucky and if Kane puts that away I fancy our subs would have killed them in extra time. They don’t have the bench quality we do. Southgate cannot be held to account for this tournament, for me.

Agreed, pleasantly surprised by our output this tournament bar the USA game. We don't look like plucky outsiders anymore

[DCWat]

Thought we were the better team over the 90.

We were unfortunate but that’s knockout football. Promising signs of things to come.

[RVclaret]

Surprised people are criticising us.

We were the better team against the reigning World Champions who had the best player in the world playing for them. Referee was giving everything to them throughout the game (even though we had two certain pens, it’s still the case!) as well.

We were unlucky and if Kane puts that away I fancy our subs would have killed them in extra time. They don’t have the bench quality we do. Southgate cannot be held to account for this tournament, for me.

Good summary Jedi.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

Just shows the absolute corruption in the game at this World Cup. Ref has been paid off couldn’t see any fouls on England all night. Had to get var guy to tell him it’s the clearest penalty you’ll ever see.

Should have been another penalty in first half on saka

[scouseclaret]

Southgate..."fine margins"
Heard that before somewhere...

The problem is that against the major teams in the major tournament, we never, ever come out on the rights side of those fine margins, when logic dictates that sometimes we should. There has to be some reason why.

For all the pre-match bravado, when France looked there for the taking, England never really looked like the believed they were go long to win tonight.

[CrosspoolClarets]

Belgian that is true. Best performance I can remember in one of these, Maradona exit being the first. Sadly we were up against obvious bias when we look at the facts, who owns who in the world of football etc, but reality is it was like 1990/1996, playing fairly well and hitting a calamitous penalty at a crucial time that if it goes in has us still level (exclude 2021 in that, we didn’t play well, so that is progress).

The cross from Griezman, who was good but not dominating, reminded me of Eriksen vs Burnley at Brentford. Totally out of the blue left foot wand that decided the game after we had just hit the woodwork.

[Aclaret]

Oh yeah, all Southgates fault. Idiot

Im afraid you're the idiot pal with your blinkered views, I'd love England to win something but not a chance with Southgate. We had a fantastic chance v Italy in the Euros but his so negative tactics in not losing rather than going for the win really passed me off !
Tonight, for example, Foden who is a great player, I didn't see him ! Why wasn't he dragged off ?...like I say England so close..but nowhere fckin near...I wont lose any sleep over England.....its Burnley than keeps me awake UTC.

[Cleveleys_claret]

Thought we were the better team over the 90.

We were unfortunate but that’s knockout football. Promising signs of things to come.

All signs that this group is as good as we have had, my worry is Kane, he cannot play forever, and looking at the team as a whole, I cannot for the life of me see who will step up to be our next goalscorer

[CrosspoolClarets]

The problem is that against the major teams in the major tournament, we never, ever come out on the rights side of those fine margins, when logic dictates that sometimes we should. There has to be some reason why.

For all the pre-match bravado, when France looked there for the taking, England never really looked like the believed they were go long to win tonight.

This is the crux of it I feel.

We can’t really criticise manager or players tonight but there is something missing, I sense it is that ability to seize a game when in command (Croatia in 2018) or to desperately throw the dice (Van Gaal last night, nearly worked).

We don’t make changes to do either. We were dominant in the 2nd half, maybe (who knows) an attacking change may have tipped the balance at 1-1 instead of giving them a chance to gain another foothold? The obvious one was Rashford, Grealish or Sterling going left with Henderson subbed and Foden going central. Personally, at that point I thought France were ready to go,

The other one was never giving Kane a partner, even at 2-1 on 85 minutes.

Just a little too passive, because these are the highest levels of all, with the finest margins.

[Cleveleys_claret]

Im afraid you're the idiot pal with your blinkered views, I'd love England to win something but not a chance with Southgate. We had a fantastic chance v Italy in the Euros but his so negative tactics in not losing rather than going for the win really passed me off !
Tonight, for example, Foden who is a great player, I didn't see him ! Why wasn't he dragged off ?...like I say England so close..but nowhere fckin near...I wont lose any sleep over England.....its Burnley than keeps me awake UTC.

As for Foden, a once in a lifetime player for a nation like us, and instead of doing what every other country would do, and give him a free role, we play him on the wing, because we have a manager that thinks Mason Mount is better playing off the striker

[gandhisflipflop]

As for Foden, a once in a lifetime player for a nation like us, and instead of doing what every other country would do, and give him a free role, we play him on the wing, because we have a manager that thinks Mason Mount is better playing off the striker

But but but….he plays there every week for city…..

[RVclaret]

Foden plays wide for his club, no issues there, he’s done very well in that position this tournament and again today.

[NewClaret]

Just admit you didn't watch the game and wanted England to lose so you could moan on here

Did watch it, first one I’ve watched in full, wasn’t really bothered about the result one way or the other.

Don’t think we played well (bar containing Mbappe impressively). Passed it about okay but didn’t create a thing. Nor did France to be fair, but they scored two half chances without needing penalties.

Sorry if my opinion offends you, but it is a football message board for opinions and that’s mine.

[Casper]

Did watch it, first one I’ve watched in full, wasn’t really bothered about the result one way or the other.

Don’t think we played well (bar containing Mbappe impressively). Passed it about okay but didn’t create a thing. Nor did France to be fair, but they scored two half chances without needing penalties.

Sorry if my opinion offends you, but it is a football message board for opinions and that’s mine.

You wasn’t bothered about the result, you should be ashamed

[Aclaret]

Foden plays wide for his club, no issues there, he’s done very well in that position this tournament and again today.

I agree RV, Foden is a fantastic player, no matter where he plays. Had a good tournament but sorry can't agree with todays performance , what did he do ?

[RVclaret]

Did watch it, first one I’ve watched in full, wasn’t really bothered about the result one way or the other.

Don’t think we played well (bar containing Mbappe impressively). Passed it about okay but didn’t create a thing. Nor did France to be fair, but they scored two half chances without needing penalties.

Sorry if my opinion offends you, but it is a football message board for opinions and that’s mine.

Without a doubt the best England performance against a major nation I’ve seen in my lifetime.

[RVclaret]

I agree RV, Foden is a fantastic player, no matter where he plays. Had a good tournament but sorry can't agree with todays performance , what did he do ?

Thought second half he started causing them problems with his direct running. First half couldn’t get in the game.

[fatboy47]

Here we go again, I suppose Southgate missed the pen,

Well.... No, not this year.

[NewClaret]

Without a doubt the best England performance against a major nation I’ve seen in my lifetime.

Honestly don’t know how you can say that after not working Lloris at all and missing a peno. But all about opinions.

Either way, same outcome as usual… out because we bottle spot kicks.

[Aclaret]

Thought second half he started causing them problems with his direct running. First half couldn’t get in the game.

Opinions eh RV, that's what football has always been about. For what it's worth I didn't think he caused them any problems.... wish he was in our team tomorrow mind

[RVclaret]

Honestly don’t know how you can say that after not working Lloris at all and missing a peno. But all about opinions.

Either way, same outcome as usual… out because we bottle spot kicks.

We had 8 shots on target, 16 in total. 2.26 xG.

[blake's wand]

We controlled possession, but didn't control France/cause them any problems.

If we play that game 10x we probably win 6, but today wasn't one of those games. Need to learn to win ugly

[NewClaret]

We had 8 shots on target, 16 in total. 2.26 xG.

Have just watched highlights on the news and Lloris was made to work a couple of times I’d forgotten about, so maybe I’ve been slightly harsh.

Anyway, the same old outcome unfortunately.

[NewClaret]

Opinions eh RV, that's what football has always been about. For what it's worth I didn't think he caused them any problems.... wish he was in our team tomorrow mind

Think he’d start with Zaroury not available.

[Aclaret]

Think he’d start with Zaroury not available.

And to have a Burnley player in the World Cup Semi Finals...wow what a achievement for the club.

[NewClaret]

We controlled possession, but didn't control France/cause them any problems.

If we play that game 10x we probably win 6, but today wasn't one of those games. Need to learn to win ugly

Reminded me a lot of us earlier in the season - lots of ball control, not much/enough penetration or quality to turn it in to match winning performances.

Hoping we don’t slip back in to that & hit the ground running tomorrow.

[AfloatinClaret]

Thought we were the better team over the 90.

We were unfortunate but that’s knockout football. Promising signs of things to come.

Could we have a bit less of the calm, considered and sensible opinions please, they impinge on the space available for childish rants and tantrums.

[Swizzlestick]

Yeah it was an unfortunate one tonight. Thought we were the better team. Can’t legislate for your star striker skying a pen. I think we need to be a bit more ruthless when in the ascendency. Maybe could’ve seen Grealish earlier but Southgate hasn’t done much wrong. Saying that, it maybe is time for a refresh though I suppose the big question is who. Not as gutted tonight as usual as we didn’t get outplayed, we went toe to toe in a good tussle and just fell on the wrong side of it.

Build the side around Bellingham and move forward.

[JohnDearyMe]

Anyway, back to the real football tomorrow. Will think about the England team again in the next Euros