According to Birmingham City academy graduate Jude Bellingham, the referee’s performance in England’s World Cup quarter-final loss to France “wasn’t where it should have been..
The Three Lions were defeated 2-1 in the tournament’s final eight, with Olivier Giroud’s second-half header proving the difference between the two teams. England did have a chance to tie the game when Harry Kane took a penalty, but the captain blasted the ball high and wide of the goal.
Kane’s spot kick was his second of the game, after putting the ball past Hugo Lloris earlier in the half to tie the game at 1-1..
However, England may believe that they should have had a penalty in the first half for a foul on Kane by Dayot Upamecano on the very edge of the box..
The team also felt cheated after some claims of a foul on Bukayo Saka in the build-up to France’s first-half goal. When asked about some of the decisions, Gareth Southgate refused to comment, but Bellingham, one of the tournament’s stars, was more open.
If I’m being honest, it’s not great.” Bellingham commented on the referee’s performance to ITV.
Anyone, including players and referees, can have a bad game. He wasn’t at the level he should have been for a game like this today..
But there are other reasons why we lost, and I’m not blaming him entirely. There were a few around the box, and we all know how lethal set-pieces can be.
Any of these can make or break the situation. Upamecano had one for a penalty in the first half.”
Bellingham started all five of England’s World Cup games, scoring his first international goal in the first group match, a 6-2 win over Iran. Lloris’ flying save denied him his second goal against France..
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