World Cup 2022: England players head home after France quarter-final defeat

December 11, 2022

Harry Maguire sits on a bus — Harry Maguire waits for team-mates on the England coach

Host nation: Qatar Dates: 20 November-18 December Coverage: Live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport web site and app. Day-by-day TV listings – Full coverage details

Captain Harry Kane stated England will use their defeat by France to be “mentally and bodily stronger for the following problem” as they headed home from the World Cup in Qatar.

Gareth Southgate’s facet have left their resort in Al Wakrah earlier than their flight home.

“Absolutely gutted,” stated Kane.

Writing on social media, the Tottenham ahead added: “We’ve given it every thing and it is come right down to a small element which I take accountability for. There’s no hiding from it, it hurts and it will take a while to recover from it however that is a part of sport.

“Now it is about utilizing the expertise to be mentally and bodily stronger for the following problem. Thanks for all of the help all through the event – it means so much.”

Speaking about Kane’s penalty miss, former England striker Alan Shearer instructed BBC Radio 5 Live: “That’s the lifetime of a centre-forward. You put your self in these positions and it’ll hang-out Harry for the remainder of his life.”

England centre-back Harry Maguire echoed his captain’s phrases, and in addition paid particular tribute to Southgate who has stated he will “review and reflect” on his facet’s exit with the Football Association earlier than making a choice on his future.

Southgate, who has been England supervisor since 2016, has a contract that runs till the Euro 2024 finals.

“Last night time harm. Absolutely gutted. Special due to Gareth and also you superb followers who saved perception in me. I like my nation and I hope we made you proud,” said Maguire.

Under Southgate, England reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the Euro 2020 remaining earlier than their elimination in opposition to the defending champions in Qatar.

Forward Marcus Rashford, who scored three objectives in Qatar, said: “The previous few weeks have been a rollercoaster of feelings, every certainly one of our group gave every thing we needed to be prepared for what was thrown at us, we bought shut, however not shut sufficient.

“I’ll make a promise that we’ll come once more.”

Midfielder Declan Rice added: “The higher the expertise, the higher the purpose. The higher the purpose, the higher the ache alongside the trail to reaching it.

“This is all a part of the journey to us being profitable as a group.

“Thank you to everybody to your unimaginable help. We gave it completely every thing.”

England departed their resort in Qatar at round 12:30pm native time and are anticipated to land within the UK afterward Sunday.

Players waved to followers gathered exterior the resort as they boarded a coach with midfielder Jude Bellingham taking the time to signal memorabilia.

Earlier, FA chief government Mark Bullingham stated the group was “hurting” after the last-eight defeat.

“Like all England followers we really feel the ache of dropping a quarter-final, together with the coaches, players and help group who’re hurting this morning,” he stated in an announcement.

“Gareth and Steve [Holland] ready the group exceptionally effectively all through the event. The players had been dedicated to profitable the trophy and had been very effectively led by Harry Kane.

“But sport can have fantastic margins and on the day, in opposition to the present world champions, it was to not be.

“This is a really thrilling younger English squad and, regardless of the extreme disappointment of final night time, they need to be very pleased with their performances in Qatar.

“We are extremely pleased with Gareth, the players, the coaches and the help group and respect all of the arduous work they put in. “