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Havana, December 10 (RHC)-- The French national soccer team defeated today its rival England (2-1) in a challenge disputed from power to power, and took the last train to the semifinals of the World Cup hosted by Qatar until December 18th.

The owners of the City of Light" went ahead on the scoreboard thanks to a shot from Aurélien Tchouaméni (minute 17) from outside the area, which entered tight to the post and left goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with nothing to do.

It was the French midfielder who went from hero to villain, as he committed the foul that led to the penalty perfectly taken by Harry Kane (54th minute).

Twelve minutes from time, Olivier Giroud headed in (78th minute) to put Les Bleus ahead again and spark the joy of their fans inside the Al Bayt stadium and from millions of homes around the world.

The joy was short-lived, as another foul inside the box, this time committed by Theo Hernandez, led to the second penalty for the English. Again the "Citizen Kane" would be in charge of the penalty but this time his shot went over the goal defended by Hugo Lloris.

The three lions kept trying and it can be said that they were even slightly superior to the world champions but the scoreboard would not move and the disciples of Didier Deschamps will continue to defend their crown.

After this Saturday's quarter-finals, everything is ready for the duels Croatia - Argentina and Morocco - France, in that order, on the 13th and 14th of this month.