Mason Mount has vowed that England will recover from their heartbreak at the World Cup.
Last night, Mount came off the bench to win the penalty that would have tied the Three Lions and world champions France once more.
The Chelsea midfielder was fouled in the box as his team trailed 2-1, giving Harry Kane the chance to score his second penalty of the game.
The World Cup quarterfinal match, however, slipped away from Gareth Southgate’s team after England captain Harry Kane, 29, blasted his effort over the bar in the 84th minute.
Although Mount acknowledges it will take some time for the hurt to go away, he is confident the Three Lions will bounce back when Euro 2024 qualification starts the next year.
Mason Mount’s statement
Taking to Instagram, the 23-year-old wrote: “Waking up today, it still hurts just as much.
“The heart and determination of this team has been nothing short of inspiring. We wanted to go further, but it wasn’t to be.
“The support we felt this tournament pushed us more than ever. A special thank you to you all who were with us every step of the way.
“Proud to call this group not only my team-mates, but my brothers.
“We’ll go again. There are so many special moments ahead together. We are England.”
Marcus Rashford’s reaction
Marcus Rashford tweeted in agreement with Mount: “The last few weeks have been a rollercoaster of emotions.
“Each and every one of our team gave everything we had to be ready for what was thrown at us. We got close, but not close enough.
“I’ll make a promise that we will come again! Thank you for the unconditional support.”
Kane scored from the penalty spot nine minutes after the half to tie the score after Aurelien Tchouameni’s goal gave France the lead in the 17th minute.
Twelve minutes before the end, Olivier Giroud gave France the lead once more, but the Three Lions were then given the chance to regain parity.
But despite having millions of England supporters watching from all over the world, Kane’s penalty failed to test Hugo Lloris of Tottenham.
And after substitute Rashford’s last-second free kick came agonizingly close, Southgate’s promising team’s trip to Qatar came to an agonizing end.
