Jordan Henderson: 'We gave it everything and unfortunately it wasn’t our night'

Jordan Henderson said the England players gave everything to try to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup but it ‘just wasn’t our night’.

The Three Lions had more possession and twice as many attempts at goal during their quarter-final with France but were unable to secure the victory needed to keep their hopes of winning the World Cup alive.

Henderson said: “Straight after the game, it’s difficult to find the right words. I thought we gave everything in the game.

“We were disappointed to go 1-0 down but I thought the character and the mentality to keep going in the second half and find the equaliser, I can’t say anymore really. We gave it everything and unfortunately it wasn’t our night.”

Aurélien Tchouaméni had put Les Bleus in front after 17 minutes with an impressive long-range strike before Harry Kane scored a deserved equaliser early in the second half.

Olivier Giroud then scored what would prove to be the winning goal with a trademark header with 12 minutes remaining, although the Three Lions did have a chance to equalise again soon after when Kane sent his second spot-kick of the night over the bar.

Henderson refused to lay any blame at the England captain’s door though, stating: “We know how many penalties Harry has scored for us. He scored the first one and how many has he contributed for us to even get here? So he’ll be stronger for it in the long run I’m sure. 

“He’s a world-class striker, our captain and as a team we wouldn’t be here without him.”

England have impressed during the course of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with impressive performances during the wins over Iran, Wales and Senegal, before arguably being the better side against France.

And Henderson added: “We felt really good, the performances were really good, the focus and the hunger were good every single day while we were here. Unfortunately, like I said, it wasn’t our night.

“We’ve got to give credit to France who are a good team, but I felt it was there for us to win tonight.”