Harry Kane missed a late penalty as England’s 2022 World Cup dream died in the desert.
The Three Lions captain had already dragged his team level from the spot once to equal Wayne Rooney ’s record of 53 goals for his country.
But when the opportunity knocked for Kane to set a new standard and take the quarter-final into extra-time he sent his shot into the horrified England fans packed behind Hugo Lloris’ goal. It was an agonising moment for Kane - and for the nation. There were tears at the end as England’s players collapsed to their knees in despair.
Gareth Souhgate’s men outplayed the reigning world champions for long periods and were also faced with a Brazilian referee who appeared to be out of his depth.
England came storming back after Aurelien Tchouameni had fired France into an early lead through Kane’s spot-kick early in the second half.
And they showed remarkable powers of recovery again when former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud headed the French in front again 13 minutes from time.
But with a tantalising semi-final against Morocco awaiting the winners, Kane wasn’t up to the task of beating Spurs team-mate Lloris from the spot a second time after substitute Mason Mount had been barged over.
Marcus Rashford dipped a free-kick onto the roof of the net with the final kick of the game. But now Al Khor has joined Leon, Mexico City, Turin, St-Etienne, Gelsenkirchen and Moscow as a place where broken English hearts have been laid to rest.
All eyes were on the battle between Kylian Mbappe and Kyle Walker. But it was England’s left flank that the French were able to unpick in the early stages as Ousmane Dembele and Antioine Griezmann gave Luke Shaw a torrid time.
One combination between the pair enabled Dembele to pick out Olivier Giroud, but his header failed to trouble Jordan Pickford.
France went ahead in the 17th minute through Tchouameni’s thumping finish. But the move started just outside the France penalty area when Dayot Upamecano got away with a crude hack from behind at Bukayo Saka.
There was no doubting the quality of Tchouameni’s 25-yard strike, though, the ball flying through Jude Bellingham ’s legs to beat Pickford’s flailing right hand.
England’s response brought everything but a goal. Kane was denied brilliantly by the bravery of his Spurs team-mate Hugo Lloris who sensed the danger when the England skipper had Dayot Upamecano and was able to block his shot.
When Kane outmuscled the big Frenchman again, he was stopped by a crude challenge. Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio saw nothing wrong - and Colombian VAR official Nicolas Gallo must have ruled the offence to have taken place outside the box. It appeared the world champions had got away with one.
Kane was denied by Lloris again when his 25-yard blast brought a flying save from France’s keeper. And although Mbappe sent a half-volley well over at the other end from a decent position, England didn’t deserve to go in behind at the break.
Bellingham thought he had equalised on the restart but his blistering half-volley forced Lloris into more heroics. But the breakthrough came in the 54th minute minute when Saka was bodychecked by Tchouameni’s blatant bodycheck after a smart exchange of passes with Bellingham.
This time the Brazilian ref couldn’t miss it - and Kane drew level with Wayne Rooney as England’s record goalscorer by sending Lloris the wrong way from the spot.
One lightning break by Mpabbe served notice that France’s threat was always there. But England continued to be the superior team and Lloris saved by Kane and Saka.
When Harry Maguire skimmed the post with a glancing header from Jordan Henderson ’s free-kick, the French were clinging on. Maguire screamed in frustration.
Bellingham was demanding another penalty after being taken out by Upamecano, but once again there was only Brazilian obstinacy.
Pickford had been a virtual spectator, but he had to be alert to beat away Giroud’s close-range volley after Dembele had headed across goal.
England failed to heed the warning - and France were ahead again in the 77th minute. Griezmann wasn’t closed down wide on the left and his cross found Giroud dashing inside Maguire to score with a meaty header.
Souithgate replaced Henderson and Saka with Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling. And when Mount was sent tumbling by Theo Hernandez's barge in the back, Mr Sampaio pointed to the spot after a VAR check. This time Kane blazed his spot-kick well over the crossbar with a terrible effort.
