DOHA, DEC 11
France manager Didier Deschamps said his team’s quality combined with a bit of luck helped them go past an excellent England side in the late quarterfinal at the Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday night.
“We came up against an excellent team tonight. They were very technical, played with so much intensity,” the World Cup-winning coach told reporters after the match.
“Even if we were always in the game, I regret that we gave them chances, such as the penalties we conceded. They missed the second one, luckily for us.”
“But without taking any credit away from my team, we knew how to do things right. We were able to create some dangerous chances before scoring the second.”
Deschamps admitted that luck was also key in getting through.
“There was actually a brilliant piece of play where Ousmane [Dembele] set up Olivier [Giroud], and [Jordan] Pickford saved splendidly.
“Our quality was probably not enough to win tonight, but luck was on our side.”
He said the experience of French players also was crucial in managing the difficult game.
“We're experienced too, even if the England team has experience as well. Our collective experience comes handy in tournaments like the World Cup. This allowed us to manage the situation.”
Deschamps said France could have avoided conceding two penalties.
“We could have done some things better, but if we didn't do certain things well, it was because England didn't allow us. They were also very dangerous from set-pieces until our game,” he said.
You must also be able to cope under pressure and avoid committing fouls. We could have done without giving two penalties away and another two or three free-kicks outside of our box.”
“But they're so talented, fast, lively and powerful that we had no choice but to rise up to the challenge, and that's what we did. We've got our reward, I don't want to take anything away from our performance.”
At the Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar, France rode on an Olivier Giroud winner after England captain Harry Kane missed a late penalty to seal a 2-1 win and book a spot in the semifinals against Morocco on Wednesday.
Giroud, who passed Thierry Henry to become France's all-time top goal scorer earlier in the tournament, said Les Bleus had to be at their best to beat England.
"This goal tonight, the 53rd, is even better [than equalling Henry]. Just before I had a chance, I should have hit harder and scored," Giroud said. "I thought I might get another chance, and when it came to me it was an unbelievable feeling to score.
"You need to keep believing. [Antoine Griezmann] gave me a super ball, it's so good for the team, it's awesome.
"We knew the potential of this young England team. They have everything, but we played a solid game, we tried to hurt them on the break. We went for it with all our mental strength."
France, who became the first defending champions to reach the semifinals again in 60 years, will be favourites on Wednesday.
Deschamps said Morocco -- the first African team to reach the semis, deserve a lot of credit.
"We will prepare for the next game thoroughly. Morocco deserve praise," Deschamps said. "Maybe they were not expected in the semis, but they conceded only one goal and then, seeing them here is not a surprise at all."
Southgate Proud
England manager Gareth Southgate said he takes pride in the players’ performance, adding that he is unsure whether to continue in the role after the World Cup exit.
The 52-year-old is under contract until 2024 and the Football Association are keen for Southgate to continue.
"The energy it takes through these tournaments is enormous. I want to make the right decision, whatever that is for the team, for England, for the FA.
"I wanted to focus totally on this tournament and to approach it in the way that we have. I think we have given a really good account of ourselves to the rest of the world. But, in the end, only one team wins and we wanted to win. Tonight we have just fallen short."
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