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.
Les Bleus controversially opened the scoring with Aurelien Tchouameni’s long-range stunner before Harry Kane levelled things up from the penalty spot.
Olivier Giroud extended his French scoring record to 53 goals as he headed home to restore his country’s lead.
England’s captain Kane then had the chance to equalise once more with another spot-kick.
But the striker sadly missed the target as he fired over the bar to end his team’s chances of reaching the semis.
However, a new report has claimed that France’s matchwinner was actually due to be taken off.
Unfortunately for England, the ball did not go out of play, and the ex-Arsenal and Chelsea ace was still on the pitch to brilliantly head home Antoinne Griezmann’s cross.
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.”
France boss Deschamps said afterwards: “It was a big game, we played a superb England team who are strong technically and physically.
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“It’s brilliant for the players to be in the last four again. We got a bit lucky although we gave away two penalties but we kept our lead with our hearts and our guts.”
Giroud himself added: “We fought tooth and nail, they came back into the match, started to believe but we showed we could be dangerous on the counter attack.
“We were a bit lucky because Kane misses the penalty, but we gave our all and fought tooth and nail. It reminds me of the mentality of 2018. This group deserves to get there.”
France now face Morocco in the semi-finals, with the winners to take on Croatia or Argentina in the final.
