France manager Didier Deschamps has admitted that he felt his side were ‘lucky’ in their World Cup quarter-final victory over England.

Goals from Aurelien Tchouameni and Olivier Giroud sealed the victory for defending champions France, in a match where there was little to separate the two teams.

England though were perhaps the better team on the day, having double the amount of chances as France while also having more possession.

England captain Harry Kane also missed from the penalty spot in the 84th minute.

Deschamps said: “It was a big game, we played a superb England team who are strong technically and physically.

“It’s brilliant for the players to be in the last four again. We got a bit lucky although we gave away two penalties but we kept our lead with our hearts and our guts.”

Deschamps was unconcerned that his team got through despite England marginally having the better of the play.  

He said: “I’ve watched all the quarter-finals – no team that has qualified for the semi-finals was in control of their match for all, or maybe even the majority of the time.

“I would’ve preferred if we hadn’t given England some gifts, but they were at a really high level.”

Deschamps won his first World Cup with France as a player back in 1998, before he lifted the trophy as a manager back in 2018.

France will play against Morocco in the semi-finals of the World Cup. Morocco became the first African side to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup after beating Portugal 1-0 in the quarter-finals.