England suffer World Cup heartbreak as France smash their dreams and eliminate the three Lions

Perhaps we are destined never to earn the blessed thing again. With surprise underdogs Morocco waiting in the semi-finals, England were ahead and the near certainty of a penalty from Harry Kane to extend the game. God knows we've had enough heartache from penalties over the years, but this time all that hurt from the shootout had to be summed up in one kick.

It was awful.

High, high in the sky, the ball flew and with it England's dreams for another four years. Normally the last man to leave the pitch, the England captain greeted the England fans and then was the first to head down the tunnel.

He doesn't need to tell him that this World Cup was there for England to win, with Wayne Rooney's record set to be bettered under the most satisfactory circumstances. And yet, even then, there was a glimmer of hope.

Deep, deep into added time, Marcus Rashford lined up a free kick just 20 yards from goal. Sitting in the stands, David Beckham could barely watch. If it was 20 years ago and he was the one standing over the ball in the golden boots.

The ball arced, the net rippled, the fans even cheered. For a moment, it seemed like everything was fine again.

But the ball had just grazed the top of Hugo Lloris's net and England were indeed on their way back - probably to smash that countdown clock at St George's Park. Collectively, England can feel no shame in the manner of their exit. They had faced the defending champions and had arguably surpassed them.

But a knockout is precisely that and France clinched them and England couldn't. Four years ago, Aurélien Tchouameni's opener after just 17 minutes would probably have been enough to force Gareth Southgate's three fledgling Lions into their shells.

If not the terrifying accuracy of the shot, then the injustice that the move started with a clear foul on Bukayo Saka by Dayot Upamecano. Over the years, however, Southgate has taught its players to look for a way back, not an excuse.

Kane, who looked at his best during England's stay in Qatar, forced his Tottenham team-mate into two solid saves. He was also inches away from winning a penalty when he was tripped on the outskirts of the penalty area - a long VAR check showing Theo Hernandez had issued his challenge to Kane just outside the box. p>

If anything, the half seemed to galvanize England's resolve even further and soon after the restart Saka was upset again. This time, a clumsy tackle from Tchouameni was not only given as a foul, but it was right in the box.

The first duel between the two captains went entirely to the book. Kane sent Lloris the wrong way and England were back.

France's response was instantaneous, however, and no sooner had Pickford fended off Adrien Rabiot's effort than Mbappe won his first running race with Kylian Mbappe, but Ousmane Dembele fell short to get the final touch.

At the same time, breaches were made in the heart of the Blues defense and in the 70th minute, Harry Maguire unleashed a free header from a set piece that he passed just wide. If you want a man to exploit a little space in the opposing box, it's Olivier Giroud.

Underrated, largely, in England, but top scorer in his own country - Pickford did well to block a first end.

However, when the ball was returned, the former Arsenal and Chelsea striker went past Harry Maguire, and France were in front again. So would England panic? Not Southgate's New England.

Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling emerged from the game-changing bench and almost instantly the former was pushed into the box by Hernandez. Frustratingly, it again took VAR to spot the fault.

At least with Kane holding the ball, the fans knew the result of the goal kick was in no doubt…

Yet another tournament unfolds as England still hold their breath.