England 0-1 Belgium - Januzaj's Stunner Separates 'B Teams' As Belgium Finish Top Group G
Like England and Tunisia, Belgium also qualified for the World Cup unbeaten, winning 9 and drawing 1; Earning 28 points out of a possible 30. Group H included Greece and Bosnia and Herzegovina as the main threats, but also Estonia, Cyprus and Gibraltar. Belgium certainly didn't struggle for goals, with Romelu Lukaku scoring 11, Eden Hazard had 6, while Thomas Meunier and Dries Mertens chipped in with 5 each. The Red Devils also humiliated Estonia 8-1 and Gibraltar 9-0 in the process. Both England and Belgium came into this final World Cup group stage game already through to the knock-out rounds. After beating Panama 3-0 and Tunisia 5-2, Belgium found themselves level on points (6) with the same amount of goals scored (8) and conceded (2) as England. The only thing being decided in this match was the final group positions and who will face who in the next round. Although, finishing second may be the preferred route. Due to other group standings, Brazil, France, Uruguay, Portugal and Argentina all find themselves on one side of the draw, while just Spain and Croatia are on the other side. It isn't hard to figure out what side England and Belgium fans will want their nations to be on. As Sir Bobby Robson said himself at Italia 90, "There's no such thing as an easier route but it is an easier route". Both teams played 'B teams' which included reserve players to prevent injuries and fatigue, while also keeping squad players match fit. Belgium would prove to be England's toughest test of the tournament so far and potentially the hardest they will have to face all tournament, despite the weakened team. Belgium have players of the calibre of Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, but also upcoming talents Adnan Januzaj, Leander Dendoncker, Charley Musonda and Youri Tielemans who are yet to break into the first team.
The game got off to a fantastic start with both teams coming close to scoring within the opening 5 minutes. Although it was Belgium who had the better chances as Tielemans had time and space to send a powerful, curling effort at goal from long range, but young England stopper, Jordan Pickford, was equal to it and made a strong save. 5 minutes later, Januzaj's ball into the box caused all sorts of problems for the England defence as Marouane Fellaini headed back across goal to Michy Batshuayi but Pickford was on hand to collect. However, after a bundle of bodies, both Belgian and English, if it wasn't for Gary Cahill's goal line clearance, the ball would have rolled into the back of the net. The game evened out and both teams continued to have chances, but none clear-cut. A Belgian corner found its way to Fellaini, who chested the ball down and half-volleyed towards goal, but Trent Alexander-Arnold was well placed to get in a vital goal line block. Although, Pickford would have likely had it covered anyway. A few minutes later, Alexander-Arnold was involved at the other end of the pitch as his overhit cross turned into a cross-cum-shot and almost caught 6'4 Courtois out, sailing just past the top left corner of the goal. This battle of the 'B teams' was proving to be a good, open game, but both teams lacked any real quality in front of goal. Something that wouldn't be missing if the star players were on show.
England had a good chance immediately after the restart through Marcus Rashford as he raced towards the Belgian and curled past Courtois, but also past the post. But it was Belgium who broke the deadlock on the 51st minute when Januzaj sent a spectacular curling effort into the top corner from the edge of the 18-yard box. He received the ball on the edge of the box, rolled the ball to his right before quickly cutting back to the left, beating Danny Rose and creating space for himself to curl precisely past Pickford. England pushed for an equaliser, but were limited to half chances. 15 minutes later, on the 65th minute, the Belgian defence was split and Rashford found himself one-on-one with Courtois, but rather disappointingly, fired harmlessly wide. The game died down as Belgium looked to see out the 1-0 win and England struggled to create any good chances with their lack of quality in the final third. The final 10 minutes were the most lively of the second half, with both teams having good opportunities to score. Rashford's delivery from a corner was punched away by Courtois but only to the feet of Danny Welbeck, whose effort was on target and may have had Courtois beaten, but Fellaini was there to poke the ball out for another corner. More England pressure led to a foul by the corner flag and some quick thinking from Rose allowed Welbeck to find himself one-on-one with Courtois, but flicked miles wide as he lost his bearings. Belgium almost furthered their advantage in the final few minutes as Tielemans set up Meunier, who wound up a shot from distance that stung the hands of Pickford and forced the young keeper into a good save. The final chance of the game fell to The Red Devils. Thorgan Hazard played Fellaini through on goal but he could only fire into the side netting.
That win makes Belgium only the third team to maintain a 100% winning record at this World Cup: Only Uruguay and Croatia share the same feat. Even with a weakened team, Belgium still looked like a solid unit defensively and look a threat going forward. Potentially one of the underdogs for the World cup, I can see them going all the way. Not a major underdog in the same fashion as Croatia, but largely underestimated against teams like Brazil, France and Spain. Perhaps due to a lack of historical success and not being one of the largest footballing nations. England were missing their key players, Kane in particular, and it was clear to see from the match statistics. The Three Lions had 11 shots in the match and failed to score, while having the same amount of shots in their last game against Panama and scored 6. England will now have to face Colombia in the knock out rounds as they look to earn their first World Cup knock out round win in 12 years since Germany 2006. Meanwhile, Belgium will face Japan.
See What Happened the Last Time England Faced Belgium in the World Cup at Italia 90
Gary Cahill's Goal Line Clearance After a Bundle Sees Pickford Spill the Ball
England had a good chance immediately after the restart through Marcus Rashford as he raced towards the Belgian and curled past Courtois, but also past the post. But it was Belgium who broke the deadlock on the 51st minute when Januzaj sent a spectacular curling effort into the top corner from the edge of the 18-yard box. He received the ball on the edge of the box, rolled the ball to his right before quickly cutting back to the left, beating Danny Rose and creating space for himself to curl precisely past Pickford. England pushed for an equaliser, but were limited to half chances. 15 minutes later, on the 65th minute, the Belgian defence was split and Rashford found himself one-on-one with Courtois, but rather disappointingly, fired harmlessly wide. The game died down as Belgium looked to see out the 1-0 win and England struggled to create any good chances with their lack of quality in the final third. The final 10 minutes were the most lively of the second half, with both teams having good opportunities to score. Rashford's delivery from a corner was punched away by Courtois but only to the feet of Danny Welbeck, whose effort was on target and may have had Courtois beaten, but Fellaini was there to poke the ball out for another corner. More England pressure led to a foul by the corner flag and some quick thinking from Rose allowed Welbeck to find himself one-on-one with Courtois, but flicked miles wide as he lost his bearings. Belgium almost furthered their advantage in the final few minutes as Tielemans set up Meunier, who wound up a shot from distance that stung the hands of Pickford and forced the young keeper into a good save. The final chance of the game fell to The Red Devils. Thorgan Hazard played Fellaini through on goal but he could only fire into the side netting.
Adnan Januzaj Curls a Wonderful Effort Past Jordan Pickford to Break the Deadlock
That win makes Belgium only the third team to maintain a 100% winning record at this World Cup: Only Uruguay and Croatia share the same feat. Even with a weakened team, Belgium still looked like a solid unit defensively and look a threat going forward. Potentially one of the underdogs for the World cup, I can see them going all the way. Not a major underdog in the same fashion as Croatia, but largely underestimated against teams like Brazil, France and Spain. Perhaps due to a lack of historical success and not being one of the largest footballing nations. England were missing their key players, Kane in particular, and it was clear to see from the match statistics. The Three Lions had 11 shots in the match and failed to score, while having the same amount of shots in their last game against Panama and scored 6. England will now have to face Colombia in the knock out rounds as they look to earn their first World Cup knock out round win in 12 years since Germany 2006. Meanwhile, Belgium will face Japan.
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