Three Lions..and the hurt

Southgate's men lose to France after Harry Kane penalty miss

- JEREMY ARMSTRONG and ANDY LINES

ENGLAND’S World Cup dream ended in penalty spot heartbreak again in Qatar last night. 

Harry Kane scored one, missed another – while what looked like a foul on him in the box went unpunished.

To rub salt in the wound, France’s first goal – a near 30-yard cracker from Aurelien Tchouameni – came after Bukayo Saka bundled over.

Eight thousand England fans in the 69,000-seater Al Bayt Stadium were left reeling – while an estimated 27 million watching on TV were choked too. And millions more watching in pubs and clubs up were left crying in their beer as reigning champions France won 2-1.

England coach Gareth Southgate said: “Congratulations to France. I really don’t think we could have done any more. We win and lose as a team.

“In most of the big moments we were in the right place, we had more shots. It was a game of fine margins.”

Skipper Kane was inconsolable at the final whistle – despite equalising Wayne Rooney’s record of 53 goals for England. Fan Paul Eaton, 58, of Manchester, said: “Harry is usually so reliable, he clearly changed his mind on the run-up.” Phil Storey, 62, an engineer from Newcastle, added: “You normally put your house on Kane to score. It was not to be.”

Mishal Usman, 18, left the ground still proudly wearing his England shirt with Harry Kane on the back.

 DEVASTATING

 Student Mishal, from West London, said: “What a devastating way to lose. It was such a shame that Harry missed the penalty so late.