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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Business
Guardian staff

‘Lion hearts broken’ – what the Sunday papers say after England’s World Cup exit

Newspapers reflect on England’s World Cup quarter-final loss.
Newspapers reflect on England’s World Cup quarter-final loss. Composite: The Sunday Telegraph / The Observer / The Mail / Daily Mirror / Sunday Express / The Sun

Harry Kane’s penalty shot went over the crossbar and that was it for England’s World Cup hopes. Here is how the papers covered the World Cup quarter-final.

“England 1 France 2 – Heartbreak for Harry” – the Observer’s take on the result. It was, the paper says, a “stinging end” to an “enthralling World Cup quarter-final”. There’s also room on the front for “We’ll suspend strikes if you talk about pay: health unions”.

“Harry’s pain” – that’s the Sun on Sunday, which reminds us that “hero skipper missed pen hell”.

The Mirror has “World Cup agony for England – Lion hearts broken”, again reminding us of captain Harry Kane’s woe.

“Au revoir, Qatar … England pay penalty in World Cup thriller with France” – that’s the Sunday Express, which also finds space for a pop at the unions over Christmas strikes.

“England pay the penalty” – Gareth Southgate holds Harry Kane’s face in his hands on the front page of the Sunday Telegraph. Its news lead is “Labour vows war on health unions”.

“It’s all over for England. Again” – that’s the World Cup picture lead in the Sunday Times. Its news lead is “Brexit bill on ice amid hopes of new year deal with EU”.

Mail on Sunday front page

Harry Kane and England are hailed as “Lionhearted until the end” on the front of the Mail on Sunday but most of the space is given over to more Sussex-bashing: “Harry and Meghan are told: stay away from coronation”.

Meanwhile across the Channel, England are yesterday’s news, with the papers already looking ahead. “France-Morocco in the semi-finals: this World Cup is magical!” enthuses Le Journal du Dimanche.

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