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.

Bukayo Saka was one of England's stars of the World Cup and impressed again in the defeat against France.

Saka has been widely hailed after his performance against France and throughout the entire tournament. Match-winner Giroud and the provider of his glancing header, Antoine Griezmann, joined Saka as the only seven-rated players on the pitch. They handed the Manchester City star a four, the joint-lowest rating alongside Theo Hernandez, who Saka ran rings around and clumsily conceded England's second penalty. He also drew four fouls, including for Harry Kane's second penalty of the night, and is returning to club football as a man in fine form. The Arsenal winger has etched his place as a regular starter under Gareth Southgate, finishing his first World Cup with three goals in four starts. The 21-year-old has been one of the tournament's best forwards in Qatar, going out with a bang as he overshadowed Kylian Mbappe at Al Bayt Stadium.

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.

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.the-sun.com/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.the-sun.com/sport/football/team/34011/france/) dangerman. [Gary Neville brandished the ref a "joke"](https://www.the-sun.com/sport/6888998/referee-gary-neville-england-world-cup-france/) following the game. [Harry Kane's](https://www.the-sun.com/who/harry-kane/) rocket of a first penalty, before seeing his club team-mate [blaze a second spot-kick over the bar](https://www.the-sun.com/sport/6888845/harry-kane-consoled-england-france-world-cup-crying/). [changed Sampaio's Wikipedia page](https://www.the-sun.com/sport/6888530/england-vs-france-world-cup-saka-england/) after a number of questionable decisions. [England](https://www.the-sun.com/sport/football/team/3562/england/) winger [Saka](https://www.the-sun.com/who/bukayo-saka/) was superb throughout the [2-1 defeat](https://www.the-sun.com/sport/6888687/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). [Tottenham](https://www.the-sun.com/sport/football/team/793/tottenham-hotspur/) stopper Lloris made six saves in the game to keep his side in it as England knocked on the door.

England might be out of the World Cup but as one door closes another opens and Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale can refocus on the Premier League title charge ...

[understands it is too soon for an accurate timescale to be placed on the player’s return](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/arsenal-january-transfer-gabriel-jesus-25714078). [understands that the club are confident he will be fit for Boxing Day](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/fixtures-results/arsenal-oleksandr-zinchenko-injury-dubai-25724017). [Arsenal, ](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/)however will have their focus on friendlies against two Serie A sides in AC Milan and Juventus. The notable absence is, of course, Gabriel Jesus. With more than two weeks until the clash with West Ham United, there’s a great chance Mikel Arteta might have a near fully available group. Much has been said about the potential response after the winter tournament but now only one Gunners player remains in Qatar - William Saliba.

Aurelien Tchouameni's goal was cancelled out by Harry Kane's effort from the spot after Saka was brought down by France's goalscorer.

Unfortunately for England, Kane couldn't match his penalty earlier in the half as he blazed over. And I promise you, it will stay with him forever.' 'And I bet when Hernandez saw him go off, he breathed a huge sigh of relief. With England pressing for a second, the world champions struck through [Olivier Giroud](/sport/olivier-giroud/index.html). [Bukayo Saka](/sport/bukayo-saka/index.html) a minute after France re-took the lead in Saturday's quarter-final clash. 'He couldn't handle Saka.

Bukayo Saka produced a string of impressive performances at the World Cup as England crash out of the tournament with a 2-1 loss against France at the Al ...

Even if we had scored a goal and got to extra-time, he was the player I felt got me on the edge of my seat. A number of Three Lions stars can take some pride from their performances in Qatar - with [Bukayo Saka](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/bukayo-saka) one of them, having chipped in with three goals and two assists at the World Cup. [crashed out of the competition with a 2-1 defeat against France](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/england-france-live-stream-updates-28701969) at the Al Bayt Stadium, courtesy of goals from Aurelien Tchouameni and Oliver Giroud. "When he saw him go off, Hernandez must've got a huge sign of relief. But I would've kept him on for every single second of that game. Gareth Southgate's side have now reached the quarter-finals in each of their last three major tournaments, having previously lost to Italy in the final at Euro 2020. Southgate has been criticised for not making changes earlier but Redknapp has slammed him for taking off Saka. Saka won the penalty that Kane scored, with the 21-year-old jinking inside onto his favourite left food before being brought down by Tchouameni. [Liverpool](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc) midfielder Jamie Redknapp and he believes that the England winger should've stayed on the pitch, instead of being taken off for [Raheem Sterling](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/raheem-sterling). [Tottenham](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/tottenham-hotspur-fc) forward blazed his spot-kick over the bar to condemn [England to a frustrating defeat against the reigning world champions](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/england-vs-france-player-ratings-28703569). [Harry Kane](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/harry-kane) scored the Three Lions' only goal of the game although he had the chance to take the game to extra-time and add his second from the penalty spot. [Mesut Ozil](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/mesut-ozil) has heaped praise on [Bukayo Saka](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/bukayo-saka) and urged him to keep his head up following England's painful exit from the [World Cup](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/world-cup-2022?service=responsive).