THOMAS TUCHEL is in the frame for the England job after the Three Lions came crashing out of the World Cup.
Aurelien Tchouameni’s long-range strike saw the French take the lead but Harry Kane netted from the spot to level the score.
However, Olivier Giroud netted to put France ahead towards the end of the game and they have since returned home.
Gareth Southgate is set to consider his future, with two years left remaining on his contract.
Elsewhere, a new ball has been unveiled ahead of the semi-finals as Morocco shocked the world to make the next round.
They join Argentina and Croatia, who both progressed, and will face France.
Keep up to date with all of the action from our live match blogs ahead of the semi-finals:
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USA’s Reyna upset team-mates
The majority of the USA squad were unhappy with the efforts of their midfielder Gio Reyna at the World Cup.
The Borussia Dortmund star, 20, was a peripheral figure in Qatar, and American boss Greg Berhalter revealed: “We had a player that was clearly not meeting expectations on and off the field.
“[It was] one of 26 players – so it stood out.”
ETH: Rashford can emulate Mbappe
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag believes their striker Marcus Rashford can reach the same level as Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe.
Ahead of Rashford and England’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to Mbappe and France, Ten Hag drew parallels between the two pacy forwards.
He said: “I believe when Marcus’s positioning is on the back of the defending line, there is almost no better player in the world.
“There is Mbappe in this moment, a type like him.
“But when he (Rashford)’s getting in that position, he’s great and you see he’s really improved also out of possession.”
Morocco’s Bounou believes in miracles
Morocco keeper Yassine Bounou says their run to the World Cup semi-finals proves that “miracles” can happen.
The Atlas Lions face holders France on Wednesday with a chance to progress to a final against either Argentina or Croatia.
Sevilla star Bounou, 31, has been key to their success, and said: “I am in the same state as every fan of this team – I keep thinking, ‘pinch me, I’m dreaming’.
“To get this far, we have had to change mentalities, get rid of this feeling of inferiority.
“We are able to face anyone, regardless of the level of the competition.
“Future generations will know that Morocco can perform miracles.”
Four Gunners available after Qatar
A number of Arsenal’s World Cup stars are available for them again after national team duty in Qatar.
Swiss star Granit Xhaka, England’s Ben White, Ghana’s Thomas Partey and American Matt Turner have rejoined the squad ahead of a Dubai Super Cup friendly against AC Milan tomorrow.
Ready for Martinez vs Varane?
The World Cup final could well see two Manchester United team-mates go head-t-head.
Argentina centre-half Lisandro Martínez will be hoping to shut out Croatia in one semi-final in Qatar.
And France defender Raphael Varane will be hoping to shackle Morocco in the other last-four tie.
However it goes down in Sunday’s final, Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag will want them both back fit and focused for a Prem visit from Nottingham Forest on December 27.
Does Saka really need rest?
England’s exit from the World Cup means Bukayo Saka will be heading back to Arsenal for club duty now.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta may well give his 21-year-old winger a rest – but does he really need it?
The guys on the Arsecast Extra podcast discussed this very issue in their latest episode, and it seems to be a point of debate.
A promo for the show says: “We had an interesting question on the Arsecast Extra yesterday about the return of World Cup players.
“[It was pointed] out that in the same time period last season, Saka played more minutes for Arsenal than he did for England in Qatar. Is there really any need for rest?”
Last Gunner standing in Qatar
The only Arsenal player still in with a chance of winning the World Cup is… William Saliba.
Four Gunners – England duo Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka, Brazil’s Gabriel Martinelli, and France’s Saliba – were called up for Qatar.
Now it is only the 21-year centre-half, who is having a breakthrough season at the Emirates, in with a chance of becoming a world champion as the tournament enters the last-four stage.
Holders France face Morocco on Wednesday for the right to meet either Argentina or Croatia in Sunday’s final.
Ferdinand critical of Southgate substitutions
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand felt England boss Gareth Southgate got his substitutions wrong in their World Cup quarter-final defeat to France.
All four of the Three Lions’ changes came after Oliver Giroud had put the French 2-1 up and Manchester City’s mercurial Jack Grealish only got two minutes of injury-time to make an impact.
Ferdinand, 44, who won 81 caps for England, said on his Vibe with Five podcast: “Our substitutions is where I think Gareth Southgate let us down.
“I think he’s been pitch-perfect, touch-perfect in almost every decision he’s made up to this point.
“But you get into a game like yesterday where this is really where it matters now, and I think Gareth Southgate came up short in the tactical element in terms of substitutions.”
Referee Lahoz’s World Cup exit
Spanish referee Mateu Lahoz has been sent home from the World Cup after his display in the fiery last-eight clash between Argentina and Holland, according to Cope.
Dutch right-back Denzel Dumfries was sent off and 15 players were booked during the chaotic clash at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
USA’s Reyna upset team-mates
The majority of the USA squad were unhappy with the efforts of their midfielder Gio Reyna at the World Cup.
The Borussia Dortmund star, 20, was a peripheral figure in Qatar, and American boss Greg Berhalter revealed: “We had a player that was clearly not meeting expectations on and off the field.
“[It was] one of 26 players – so it stood out.”
Gunners tracking Chelsea star Pulisic
Arsenal are one of a number of clubs interested in Chelsea forward Christian Pulisic, according to the Mirror.
The 24-year-old United States play-making forward caught the eye with his displays at the World Cup and bagged a crucial winner over Iran to help them progress to the knock-out stages.
Juventus keen on Chelsea’s Mount
Juventus are lining up a surprise swoop for Chelsea star Mason Mount, according to CalcioMercatoWeb.
The midfielder, 23, is coming into the final 18 months of his Blues deal and was on show with England at this winter’s World Cup in Qatar.
Apparently, the Old Lady are prepared to sell Weston McKennie and Adrien Rabiot and return on-loan Leandro Paredes to Paris Saint-Germain to fund a move to bring Mount to Serie A.
Rashford set for deal extension
Manchester United are set to trigger a one-year contract extension for England World Cup star Marcus Rashford.
The Red Devils forward justified his selection for Qatar with three goals in five games and is said to be attracting interest from French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Now United boss Erik ten Hag has confirmed they are ready to exercise their option to extend his deal at Old Trafford.
Five potential Southgate successors
Will he stay or will he go now? Gareth Southgate is said to be considering his future as England boss and SunSport have come up with five potential successors.
Former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is said to be interested if approached. The German is still a free agent after being sacked by the Blues in September.
Fellow former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is another option. He has not pulled up any trees as Everton gaffer but he never let the Three Lions down as a free-scoring midfielder.
Newcastle chief Eddie Howe has taken them from relegation battlers to Champions League hopefuls, albeit with a very decent transfer kitty. And with Toon stars like Callum Wilson coming into the England reckoning, Howe could fit the bill.
Steve Cooper has done a terrific job in brining giants Nottingham Forest back to the top flight after a painful 23-year absence so he knows how to handle the pressure and expectation which would come with the England job.
And finally, free agent Mauricio Pochettino could do it. He performed heroics at both Southampton and Spurs as – as a former PSG boss – he will have the inside track on Kylian Mbappe if the Three Lions ever come up against France again!
Good morning footy fans!
England’s stars and staff have touched back down on home turf following Saturday night’s heartbreaking World Cup exit.
The Three Lions suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Les Bleus controversially opened the scoring with Aurelien Tchouameni’s long-range stunner and Harry Kane levelled things up from the penalty spot before Olivier Giroud extended his scoring record with 53 goals.
England’s heroic captain had the chance to equalise once more with another spot-kick but he sadly missed the target.
That meant that our boys were on the next plane home – but not before they showed their class off the pitch this morning.
England showered hotel staff with gifts as they left to fly home from Qatar.
Gareth Southgate claims England went “so close” to glory in Qatar and are now consistently “feeding at the top table of world football”.
Southgate told England’s YouTube channel: “Ultimately we’ve fallen short, I can’t get away from that.
“But we’re feeding at the top table of European and world football consistently now.
“If we’re in that place with the depth of squad that we’ve got, then that’s exciting and important for England.
“It’s a difficult time for everybody. We’re really aware of that. I think the players have represented them in the right way, played in the right way.”
Olivier Giroud was reportedly seconds from being subbed when he broke England’s hearts.
The Three Lions suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals at the Al Bayt Stadium last night.
Get French Football News stated: “Didier Deschamps had decided to take Olivier Giroud off for Marcus Thuram before France’s all-time scorer netted – just 1 more stoppage in play & he would have been off. Fine margins indeed.”
Kylian Mbappe has hailed “GOAT” Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford – after initially irking England fans.
The France striker celebrated with a huge mocking laugh when Three Lions’ skipper Harry Kane missed a late match-saving penalty in the World Cup quarter-final.
But he responded positively after icon Ronaldo and England sub Rashford posted touching messages following their weekend exits from Qatar.
Manchester United discard Ron, 37, hinted he is considering his international future after appearing to accept his greatest remaining dream – Portugal winning the World Cup – is now over.
Mbappe replied to the social media post with a GOAL emoji.
And when Rashford posted to say England had given everything, Mbappe sent a heart emoji.
Tuchel wants England job
Thomas Tuchel wants the England job — if Gareth Southgate decides to walk away.
The former Chelsea chief is back in Germany after being sacked by the Blues in September.
But Tuchel, 49, would love to make a swift return to England as boss of the Three Lions.
He has seen first-hand all the young talent at the country’s disposal, both at Stamford Bridge and in opposition teams.
Chelsea stars Mason Mount, Reece James, Conor Gallagher, Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell have all been part of the current set-up.
The FA is desperate for Southgate to stay on despite Saturday’s 2-1 World Cup quarter-final defeat to France.
Giroud ‘seconds from being subbed’ before goal
Olivier Giroud was reportedly seconds from being subbed when he broke England’s hearts.
The Three Lions suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals at the Al Bayt Stadium last night.
Get French Football News stated: “Didier Deschamps had decided to take Olivier Giroud off for Marcus Thuram before France’s all-time scorer netted – just 1 more stoppage in play & he would have been off. Fine margins indeed.”
‘We were so close’ says Southgate
Gareth Southgate claims England went “so close” to glory in Qatar and are now consistently “feeding at the top table of world football”.
Southgate told England’s YouTube channel: “Ultimately we’ve fallen short, I can’t get away from that.
“But we’re feeding at the top table of European and world football consistently now.
“If we’re in that place with the depth of squad that we’ve got, then that’s exciting and important for England.
“It’s a difficult time for everybody. We’re really aware of that. I think the players have represented them in the right way, played in the right way.”
England arrive home
England’s stars and staff have touched back down on home turf following last night’s heartbreaking World Cup exit.
The Three Lions suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Les Bleus controversially opened the scoring with Aurelien Tchouameni’s long-range stunner and Harry Kane levelled things up from the penalty spot before Olivier Giroud extended his scoring record with 53 goals.
England’s heroic captain had the chance to equalise once more with another spot-kick but he sadly missed the target.
That meant that our boys were on the next plane home – but not before they showed their class off the pitch this morning.
England showered hotel staff with gifts as they left to fly home from Qatar.
Mbappe hails Ronaldo
Kylian Mbappe has hailed “GOAT” Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford – after initially irking England fans.
The France striker celebrated with a huge mocking laugh when Three Lions’ skipper Harry Kane missed a late match-saving penalty in the World Cup quarter-final.
But he responded positively after icon Ronaldo and England sub Rashford posted touching messages following their weekend exits from Qatar.
Manchester United discard Ron, 37, hinted he is considering his international future after appearing to accept his greatest remaining dream – Portugal winning the World Cup – is now over.
Mbappe replied to the social media post with a GOAL emoji.
And when Rashford posted to say England had given everything, Mbappe sent a heart emoji.
New ball, please
FIFA have revealed their new World Cup ball for the semis and finals.
The “Al Hilm” ball – which translates to “The Dream” in Arabic – replaces Al Rihla – “The Journey”.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina, who beat Netherland’s, face Croatia on Tuesday night.
A day later, reigning champions France face Morocco following their dramatic win over England.
Saka’s breaks silence
Bukayo Saka has broken his silence after England’s World Cup exit with a touching social media post thanking the “special” squad, Gareth Southgate and supporters.
He wrote: “I can’t explain how I feel today, but we gave everything out there and we really wish we could have brought it home for you all this time.
“I just wanted to say a genuine thank you to our fans, you’ve all been amazing both at the games and at home this tournament and we felt it.
“This group are really special and talented, so although we are disappointed now, I am really excited for our future. Thank you to my @England family – my team mates, Gareth, the coaching and all the backroom staff for all their hard work and dedication to help us get this far.
“We will build from this and with your support we will keep improving and making progress together. See you all soon.”
Fury supports England’s heroes
Tyson Fury sent out a message of support to the heartbroken England squad after their World Cup KO.
He tweeted: “Hold your heads up lions. We Go Again @EnglandFootball.
“Support Our Team. Support Our Boys. Support Our Team. In Victory and In Defeat.”
Generous England
Caring England stars showered hotel staff with gifts as they left to fly home from Qatar following an agonising World Cup exit.
The Three Lions departed as classily off the pitch as they had on it with their unlucky 2-1 quarter-final loss to France.
England players handed out signed shirts and hugged workers, who in turn said Gareth Southgate’s 25-man squad had “made them feel like princes” and became “like family”.
Midfield sensation Jude Bellingham urged fans to “stick with us” as he went over to chat outside the hotel and sign autographs.
Dave the Cat heading to UK
It wasn’t all doom and gloom for England after their heartbreaking World Cup quarter-final defeat to France.
The Three Lions’ unofficial tournament mascot, Dave the cat, began his journey to the UK as Gareth Southgate’s squad also headed for home.
Dave became the squad’s mascot after joining England stars at meal times during their stay in Qatar.
John Stones and Kyle Walker pledged to adopt their furry friend if England won the World Cup.
But, despite crashing out 2-1 to France on Saturday, Dave is still heading to the UK to be rehomed.
He was seen being loaded into a crate to begin his journey shortly after Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire and Co left their Souq Al Wakrah hotel today.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
