Bukayo Saka

Mesut Ozil has urged his former Arsenal teammate not to feel too despondent after England's painful World Cup exit.

[check our sport page](https://metro.co.uk/sport/). [Arsene Wenger speaks out on England’s decision to let Harry Kane take two penalties against France](https://metro.co.uk/2022/12/10/arsene-wenger-speaks-out-on-england-letting-harry-kane-take-two-penalties-17916171/?ico=more_text_links) – France star hits out at English media criticism of Hugo Lloris after quarter-final win](https://metro.co.uk/2022/12/10/world-cup-france-star-hits-out-at-english-media-criticism-after-quarter-final-win-17916166/?ico=more_text_links) [Privacy Policy](https://metro.co.uk/privacypolicy/) [Harry Kane](https://metro.co.uk/tag/harry-kane/?ico=auto_link_sport_P4_LNK1) was the fall guy from 12 yards on this occasion but Saka, who has enhanced his burgeoning reputation over the course of his five appearances in [Qatar](https://metro.co.uk/tag/qatar/?ico=auto_link_sport_P4_LNK2), was crestfallen at another missed opportunity for international silverware. [Mesut Ozil](https://metro.co.uk/tag/mesut-ozil/?ico=auto_link_sport_P1_LNK1) has urged his former Arsenal teammate not to feel too despondent after England’s painful [World Cup](https://metro.co.uk/tag/world-cup/?ico=auto_link_sport_P1_LNK2) exit.

World Cup news: Bukayo Saka caused significant problems for France's Theo Hernandez but was substituted for Raheem Sterling with just over ten minutes to ...

Following the French's second goal, Gareth Southgate made two changes with Saka and Jordan Henderson replaced by Mount and Sterling. I would have kept him on for every single second of that game and I'm sure Hernandez, when he saw him go off, breathed a huge sigh of relief." However, many believe it should have been five, with Dayot Upamecano winning the ball back from Saka in the build up to France's first goal rather unfairly. Hernandez, who plays for AC Milan, is arguably one of the best left-backs in the world, but he was constantly turned inside out by the 21-year-old, with Jamie Carragher praising him for his superb display. The world champions ultimately saw out the win thus setting up a semi-final clash with Morocoo. Moments after missing a glorious chance which was saved by Jordan Pickford, Olivier Giroud headed France back in front with 12 minutes to go.

NOTORIOUSLY tough scoring French newspaper L'Equipe gave Bukayo Saka a higher match rating than Kylian Mbappe in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final.En.

[Mbappe](https://www.thesun.co.uk/who/kylian-mbappe/) on the other hand was given a five, with right-back Kyle Walker doing well to keep the shackles on the [France](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/team/1196704/france/) dangerman. [Gary Neville brandished the ref a "joke"](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/20717755/referee-gary-neville-england-world-cup-france/) following the game. [BETTING SPECIAL - BEST BETTING APPS FOR THE WORLD CUP](https://www.thesun.co.uk/betting/20550453/best-uk-betting-apps-world-cup/) [Kane was denied a first-half penalty](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/20716405/england-harry-kane-penalty-var-france-world-cup/) after appearing to be tripped by France defender Dayot Upamecano. [changed Sampaio's Wikipedia page](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/20716748/england-vs-france-world-cup-saka-england/) after a number of questionable decisions. [Harry Kane's](https://www.thesun.co.uk/who/harry-kane/) rocket of a first penalty, before seeing his club team-mate [blaze a second spot-kick over the bar](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/20717463/harry-kane-consoled-england-france-world-cup-crying/). [England](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/team/1196702/england/) winger [Saka](https://www.thesun.co.uk/who/bukayo-saka/) was superb throughout the [2-1 defeat](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/20717112/england-france-harry-kane-missed-penalty-match-report/) - and scored a seven out of ten from [L'Equipe](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Article/Les-notes-d-angleterre-france-un-duel-kane-lloris-au-sommet/1369501). He blasted on ITV: "The referee I thought he had an absolute nightmare, he was a joke of a referee. [Tottenham](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/team/1196652/tottenham-hotspur/) stopper Lloris made six saves in the game to keep his side in it as England knocked on the door. It was mostly fives and sixes across the board for both teams, although Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann were both given a seven after impressing on the night. The captain was given an eight out of ten, higher than anyone else on the pitch.

England's World Cup journey may be over, but the future remains as bright as ever.Youngsters starred for Gareth Southgate in Qatar from Bukayo Saka.

“I don’t think he (Sterling) is near what he was a couple of seasons ago. A strong performance against the current World Champion, good defending against Mbappe & Co., but France very effective as always. [talkSPORT.com](https://talksport.com/radioplayer/live/index.html?interstitial=true). Kylian Mbappe was only given a five. [Arsenal](https://talksport.com/sport/football/team/113203/arsenal/) star Mesut Ozil had nothing but praise for the 21-year-old, writing on Twitter: “You don’t need to feel ashamed Team England. [2-1 quarter-final defeat to France](https://talksport.com/football/1273964/harry-kane-jude-bellingham-tears-england-world-cup-penalty-france/) has been praised.