Boxpark crowd in shock as Harry Kane misses penalty for England
England defender Harry Maguire slammed World Cup referee Wilton Sampaio and demanded that the FIFA official answers questions from the media after France defeated the Three Lions in Qatar. Sampaio made several baffling decisions as Gareth Southgate’s side were brutally knocked out of the tournament.
Bukayo Saka felt he was fouled in the build-up to Aurelien Tchouameni’s goal in the 2-1 quarter-final reverse. Sampaio also missed a clear trip on Harry Kane, with many feeling that the incident took place just inside the penalty area.
The official finally awarded England a spot-kick in the second half, which Kane confidently dispatched. After Olivier Giroud restored France’s lead, VAR was then required to point out to Sampaio a clear infringement on Mason Mount.
Unfortunately for England, captain Kane thrashed that penalty over the crossbar and a devastated Three Lions crash out of the Qatar tournament. A furious Maguire wants answers from Sampaio.
England star Harry Maguire slammed World Cup referee Wilton Sampaio (Image: BeIN Sports)
“I thought the referee’s decision-making throughout the game was really poor. We always stand here, we as players, we get criticised, so it would be nice to see if he comes out and says whether he’s had a good game or not,” the Manchester United defender, who was excellent during the World Cup, told BeIN Sports.
“There were so many decisions in that first half where France made five, six early fouls. I think [Kane] was outside the box but it was a clear foul.
“He doesn’t initially give the penalty in the second half. The one on Bukayo is a clear foul, leading up to their first goal. Just big moments, big decisions, and you expect a referee to get some right. Unfortunately tonight, he didn’t get any.”
England were the better side in Al-Bayt and limited France to few opportunities. However, Didier Deschamps side, who are now favourites following Brazil’s shock exit, took their chances - while England did not.
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Harry Maguire was booked by World Cup referee Wilton Sampaio (Image: GETTY IMAGES)
Maguire added: “We’re hurting, we’re really disappointed. Listen, we were the better team in the game, for sure. I think anyone who was watching the game, who is neutral, will say we dominated the game for large periods.
“Big decisions went against us. A lot of decisions went against us, should I say. But we fought, we kept pushing, we created chance after chance, but they (France) have been clinical in two moments.
“That’s why they’re the world champions. I’d say that’s why they’re probably the favourites to win the tournament.”
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