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Pickford Collects 50th Cap But England Exit World Cup

Jordan Pickford won his 50th England cap but was left bitterly disappointed as the Three Lions exited the 2022 World Cup with a 2-1 defeat to France in the quarter-finals.

Everton's number one, who made three clean sheets in the tournament, could do nothing about either of France's goals - scored either side of a penalty from Harry Kane, who also missed a second spot-kick late on.

France took the lead on 17 minutes when Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni arrowed a superb 25-yard drive into the corner of the net.

Gareth Southgate's side responded excellently, though, and deservedly equalised nine minutes after the half-time interval when Kane converted a penalty after Bukayo Saka had been brought down by Tchouameni.

Pickford was on hand to make a stunning save to keep out Olivier Giroud's effort 12 minutes from the end - but the AC Milan striker was not to be denied less than a minute later, powering home a header after Antoine Griezmann's inch-perfect cross.

There was late drama when VAR intervened and England were awarded a penalty for a cynical barge on substitute Mason Mount - but Kane could not repeat his earlier feat and blazed over from 12 yards.

Pickford's Blues teammate Conor Coady was an unused substitute at Al Bayt Stadium.

France now face Morocco in the semi-finals of the competition, while Pickford, Coady and their England teammates head home.