French players celebrate after defeating England, 2-1, World Cup Qatar and advance semifinals

French players celebrate after defeating England, 2-1, World Cup Qatar and advance semifinals

French players celebrate after defeating England, 2-1, at the World Cup in Qatar and advance to the semifinals, Dec. 10, 2022.

Kylian Mbappe and France made it back to the semifinals of the World Cup 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.

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. (AP)

🏆⚽🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England 1-2 France 🇫🇷

France advances to the semifinals of the World Cup in Qatar, after defeating England 2-1, Dec. 10, 2022. France will face Morocco in the semifinals.

Goals by Oliver Giroud and Aurelien Tchouameni gave France a 2-1 win over England that took the holders into a World Cup semifinal with Morocco after Harry Kane equalized from the spot but then blazed a second late penalty over the bar Saturday.

France is now one win away from becoming the first back-to-back finalists since Brazil in 2002 and two from becoming the third team to retain the trophy after Brazil in 1962 and Italy in 1938.

They had to work hard for their win though as the first tournament knockout match between the two old sporting rivals maintained the excitement of this extraordinary quarter-final weekend.

France went ahead after 17 minutes, breaking as England was still complaining about a foul not given on Bukayo Saka. (Reuters)