England vs Fiji LIVE: Rugby World Cup 2023 result and reaction after thrilling finish to quarter-final
England 30-24 Fiji: Owen Farrell kicked the vital points at the death to steer the Red Rose through to the semi-finals
England are through to the Rugby World Cup semi-finals after surviving a late Fiji comeback in Marseille.
Owen Farrell kicked the vital points required to steer Steve Borthwikck’s side through to a final four clash against either hosts France or defending champions South Africa, but only after Fiji levelled the contest at 24-24 with two quick-fire tries through prop Peni Ravai and flyhalf Vilimoni Botitu.
Fiji will rue three relatively simple shots at goal that were missed, as well as unforced errors that eased the pressure on England. Centres Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant scored first-half tries and Farrell was unerring with the boot, including a late drop-goal. England led 21-10 at halftime and looked in total control of the game for the first 60 minutes before holding off a stern Fijian challenge in the final quarter.
England reach their sixth World Cup semi-final and will go in search of a fifth final appearance when they meet hosts France or South Africa in the last four. They play later on Sunday in Paris.
Follow all the action from Marseille and get all the latest Rugby World Cup odds and tips right here:
FULL-TIME: England 30-24 Fiji
England win the penalty and they have done it!
Lawes is the man at the breakdown and Fiji sink to their knees. Farrell thumps the ball into the stands and England celebrate!
What a game that was; ebbs and flows, plenty of drama right down until the final moments but it’s England who win it by six points thanks to Farrell’s late drop goal and penalty.
England 30-24 Fiji
84 mins: Penalty but no yellow card for Farrell.
It’s a poor kick from Fiji who will have wanted more territory than that.
Lineout ball and on we go.
England 30-24 Fiji
83 mins: Drama now as Farrell knocks the ball on going for the tackle.
Was it deliberate? That’s for TMO to decide.
And they feel it is. A penalty to Fiji and on we play. It could still be a yellow card for the England skipper.
England 30-24 Fiji
80 mins: Still Fiji come but England have down superbly to repel the Fijian attacks thus far. They are now back past the 10 metre line and almost to the halfway line.
England 30-24 Fiji
80 mins: A knock-on from Itoje and Fiji have a scrum in the England half.
The scrum is reset twice and we are now into the 80th minute. Fiji will need to find a converted try from this set piece or they’ll be heading home.
PENALTY! England 30-24 Fiji (Farrell, 78 mins)
Farrell knows what he is doing as he wastes every possible second before slotting over the penalty.
England lead by six with just two minutes remaining.
England 27-24 Fiji
77 mins: What a stunning surge from Bern Earl as he rips the Fijian defence apart to get England up the pitch in no time after the loose ball fell their way.
What’s more, Fiji give away a penalty from the resulting ruck and England have a chance at more valuable points.
England 27- 24 Fiji
73 mins: Non-stop action here now. Lawes gets his foot in touch and concedes a lineout in a treacherous position, but the England flanker redeems himself by disrupting the lineout superbly and winning his side a penalty.
DROP GOAL! England 27- 24 Fiji (Farrell, 72 mins)
Where have we seen that before?!
What a stellar response from England after conceding those two tries as they surge into the Fiji 22. Tuilagi comes close, Smith tries his luck, but in the end, it’s the tried and trusted drop goal from Farrell that nudges England ahead again.
How are those fingernails, England fans?
TRY! England 24- 24 Fiji (Botitu, 69 mins)
We have a level game in Marseille!
From out of nowhere, Fiji have struck twice in a matter of minutes. It’s a huge surge through the middle of the pitch from that man Radradra and his offload finds Nasilasila who then feeds Botitu who surges under the posts.
The extra two are added and the scores are tied as we enter the final ten.
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