World Cup latest: France as short as evens to retain trophy after England scalp

France have been cut to as short as even money to win the World Cup and become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the trophy.

Les Bleus, who had been a best-priced 13-2 to come out on top at the start of the tournament, booked their place in the semi-finals with a 2-1 win over England in Al Khor on Saturday.

Aurelien Tchouameni had given France the lead before Harry Kane equalised from the spot early in the second half.

But Olivier Giroud headed in the winner in the 78th minute before Kane missed an opportunity to level the scores shortly after, firing his second penalty of the game over the bar after a shove on Mason Mount from France defender Theo Hernandez.

That was Giroud's fourth goal at this World Cup and he is 6-1 to win the Golden Boot.

Only Lionel Messi, who has four goals but also two assists to his name, and France teammate Kylian Mbappe are above Giroud in the Golden Boot betting at 11-4 and 1-2 respectively.

France will face Morocco, who had been 300-1 shots in the outright market before the World Cup began, in the second semi-final on Wednesday after Argentina and Croatia lock horns on Tuesday.

France are 8-15 to beat Morocco in 90 minutes and are as short as 1-5 to qualify, while the Atlas Lions are 10-3 to pull off another shock and make the final.

A France versus Argentina final had been second favourite in the name the finalists ante-post market at 22-1 and is now 4-6.

Although Mbappe leads the way in the top goalscorer and Golden Boot markets, it is Messi who is 11-8 favourite with Hills to be named player of the tournament and win the Golden Ball for the second time in his career in what is his last ever World Cup.

Gareth Southgate, who also led England to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020, has remained coy on his future as Three Lions manager, insisting he needs more time to reflect on his side's defeat to France.

At a best-priced 12-5, bookmakers had the quarter-finals as England's most likely stage of elimination at the start of the World Cup.

Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is 5-1 favourite with most firms to be the next England manager, although Graham Potter leads the way at 7-2 with Betfair and Paddy Power.

Potter replaced Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea boss back in September and had the club in eighth spot in the Premier League heading into the World Cup break.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is also high up in the betting with Betfair and Paddy Power at 4-1.

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