England 0-2 Belgium - Belgium Do World Cup Double Over England To Claim 3rd Place
England and Belgium had already met previously in the group stage, however, the situation of the two games were very different. While the group game only affected who finished first and second in the group, whoever finished second would have an 'easier' route to the final. Belgium have had to face the likes of Brazil and France, as well as Japan, who were agonisingly close to producing a shock result against the red devils. Meanwhile, England faced Colombia, Sweden and Croatia. All good teams that shouldn't be underestimated or belittled but aren't quite the same level as powerhouses Brazil and France. Both teams fielded 'B teams' in the group stage, teams with mass rotation and reserve players. The third-place play-off, while it isn't where either team would have wanted to have been this weekend, both nations would have been eager to win. A win which would see Belgium finish in their highest ever World Cup position, having previously finished fourth in 1986, and England their second, behind the World Cup winning team of 1966 but ahead of the Italia 90 squad that finished fourth. Both Gareth Southgate and Roberto Martínez made 5 changes to the teams that lost to Croatia and France. While there were multiple changes, both teams fielded were still strong enough to go for the win and have a go at the opposition, opening the opportunity for an entertaining game. Another major focus of the game was the race for the World Cup Golden Boot. Harry Kane Vs. Romelu Lukaku. Tottenham's star striker Vs. Manchester United's star striker. Both players manage impressive numbers in the Premier league, with Kane finishing the 2017/18 Premier League season as the second highest scorer with 30 goals, while Lukaku finished in 6th with 16. Would this be another tournament where Kane outscores Lukaku?
Belgium got off to the best start possible when right-wing back Thomas Meunier beat Danny Rose to the ball to slide a Nacer Chadli cross past Jordan Pickford after just 4 minutes. The goal was Belgium's fastest ever World Cup goal scored, while it was England's fastest ever World Cup goal conceded. Belgium could have been 2-0 up within 10 minutes if it wasn't for a good save from Jordan Pickford. Belgium counter-attacked at pace and Lukaku played a through ball that should have been dealt with rather easily by two England defenders, however, the ball still managed to somehow find its way through to Kevin De Bruyne, whose shot was deflected and Pickford's outstretched arm denied Belgium a second. England created a few chances of their own. In the 23rd minute, Eric Dier's long ball forward was plucked out of the air well by Raheem Sterling, and his excellent cushioned lay-off fell perfectly to Harry Kane who fired tantalisingly wide from just inside the 18-yard box. England were dominating possession, but Belgium looked the much better team. They were first to everything, their attack caused England's back-line multiple problems due to the pace and quality of their front line and the midfielders behind them. Eden Hazard's central run and shot in the 33rd minute was well blocked by John Stones and the resulting corner was pulled short to Youri Tielemans whose scuffed shot looped over the England defence and found Toby Alderweireld, who volleyed just over the bar from the edge of the penalty area. At the half time interval, England had more shots on target than Belgium, although, Belgium looked the much better team. England for the most part were lackadaisical, with many players looking both physically and mentally tired. Their passing too slow and easy for Belgium to combat. In contrast, Belgium looked sharp, attacked with pace and the quality of passing was outstanding. But then, that's what you come to expect with a player like De Bruyne able to unlock any defence with ease.
Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard both entered the fray at half time in the hope of giving England more of an attacking spark. Both immediately made an impact and England looked much better going forward from midfield. The passing was quicker and more energetic, causing Belgium more problems than they were faced with in the first half. England began to get more of a hold on the game and found their rhythm. In the first 5 minutes of the second half, Kieran Trippier curled a good ball into the box from the right side of midfield that was flicked out for a corner by Jan Vertonghen who just beat John Stones to the ball. The following corner went straight into the arms of Thibaut Courtois, Belgium's counter attack then found Hazard and a cynical, professional foul by Stones found him in the referee's book. Just a few minutes later in the 54th minute, Trippier's quick throw-in found Lingard who flashed a cross-cum-shot across goal, that was just inches away from the boot of Kane. Both teams continued to create chances while defending well. A much more even encounter than the first half. England came closest on the 70th minute after Dier received the ball a third into the Belgian half, beat Tielemans and Axel Witsel, played a one-two with Rashford to beat Vincent Kompany, chipped Courtois, only to be denied on the line by magnificent block by Alderweireld. England continued to come close, with headers from Dier and Harry Maguire going just wide. Belgium almost scored one of the goals of the tournament after breaking with ridiculous pace. Hazard, Mertens and De Bruyne all linked together beautifully with a range of flicks and quick passing ending with Meunier's volleyed effort being well saved by Pickford's strong right hand. Belgium's midfield had England's defence on strings. The game was all but finished a minute later, albeit against the run of play, after De Bruyne played in Hazard who got the beating of Phil Jones and slotted calmly past Pickford into the bottom left hand corner.
Overall, England had a range of players who outperformed any expectations placed upon them. Harry Kane undoubtedly had a great tournament and will likely be rewarded with the World Cup Golden Boot, which is no easy feat, however, there were games in which he didn't contribute much to the game or the team. While everyone has bad games every so often, but as the captain he should be leading by example. Jordan Henderson also had a fantastic tournament. Despite many doubting Henderson's ability and suitability to the team and was usually associated with only passing backwards and sideways, he's shown this World Cup that he is a crucial member of the team, keeping possession and remaining composed when on the ball to relieve pressure. Something that has been lacking in an England team for many years. A rather impressive statistic to come from the England's World Cup campaign was that of the 690 minutes England played at the World Cup, Henderson played a total of 482 minutes. For those 482 minutes England didn't find themselves behind for a single second of that time. In the 208 minutes Henderson didn't play, England were behind for 136 minutes. This statistic truly shows his importance to the team and how good a World Cup he has had. Perhaps underappreciated, underrated and even too harshly criticised. Arguably our best defender and one of the best defenders at the World cup, Trippier has multiple statistics to his name that support these claims. Within the England team, Trippier won more tackles than any other England player, with 12, and made more interceptions than any other England player, with 10. More impressively, he also had the most chances created out of any other player at the World cup, with 24, and also made the most key passes out of any other player at the World Cup, also with 24. The 'Bury Beckham' tag is more than justifiable. Some other notable stand out performances came from Harry Maguire, who made a name for himself and established himself in the team, with many being sceptical of his selection prior to the tournament. As well as Jordan Pickford, who pulled off multiple great saves to keep England either in games or ahead.
Regarding Belgium, Belgium are a team much further down the line of development than England. This World Cup could likely be their last together and the last of their 'golden generation'. Could this current Belgium side be a vision into the future for England? Good on the ball, can counter attack brilliantly and at ridiculous pace, can break teams down, and are able to beat the biggest forces, like Brazil. Belgium have been arguably one of the best teams in the tournament and were probably unlucky to not be in the final. With players of the calibre of Lukaku, De Bruyne, Hazard, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Courtois. All mainstays and key players in their respective successful Premier League teams. There are still bright upcoming talents and prospects for the Belgians, in the likes of wingers Adnan Januzaj and Charly Musonda, and midfielders Youri Tielemans and Leander Dendoncker.
Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku Go Head to Head Once Again
Belgium got off to the best start possible when right-wing back Thomas Meunier beat Danny Rose to the ball to slide a Nacer Chadli cross past Jordan Pickford after just 4 minutes. The goal was Belgium's fastest ever World Cup goal scored, while it was England's fastest ever World Cup goal conceded. Belgium could have been 2-0 up within 10 minutes if it wasn't for a good save from Jordan Pickford. Belgium counter-attacked at pace and Lukaku played a through ball that should have been dealt with rather easily by two England defenders, however, the ball still managed to somehow find its way through to Kevin De Bruyne, whose shot was deflected and Pickford's outstretched arm denied Belgium a second. England created a few chances of their own. In the 23rd minute, Eric Dier's long ball forward was plucked out of the air well by Raheem Sterling, and his excellent cushioned lay-off fell perfectly to Harry Kane who fired tantalisingly wide from just inside the 18-yard box. England were dominating possession, but Belgium looked the much better team. They were first to everything, their attack caused England's back-line multiple problems due to the pace and quality of their front line and the midfielders behind them. Eden Hazard's central run and shot in the 33rd minute was well blocked by John Stones and the resulting corner was pulled short to Youri Tielemans whose scuffed shot looped over the England defence and found Toby Alderweireld, who volleyed just over the bar from the edge of the penalty area. At the half time interval, England had more shots on target than Belgium, although, Belgium looked the much better team. England for the most part were lackadaisical, with many players looking both physically and mentally tired. Their passing too slow and easy for Belgium to combat. In contrast, Belgium looked sharp, attacked with pace and the quality of passing was outstanding. But then, that's what you come to expect with a player like De Bruyne able to unlock any defence with ease.
Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard both entered the fray at half time in the hope of giving England more of an attacking spark. Both immediately made an impact and England looked much better going forward from midfield. The passing was quicker and more energetic, causing Belgium more problems than they were faced with in the first half. England began to get more of a hold on the game and found their rhythm. In the first 5 minutes of the second half, Kieran Trippier curled a good ball into the box from the right side of midfield that was flicked out for a corner by Jan Vertonghen who just beat John Stones to the ball. The following corner went straight into the arms of Thibaut Courtois, Belgium's counter attack then found Hazard and a cynical, professional foul by Stones found him in the referee's book. Just a few minutes later in the 54th minute, Trippier's quick throw-in found Lingard who flashed a cross-cum-shot across goal, that was just inches away from the boot of Kane. Both teams continued to create chances while defending well. A much more even encounter than the first half. England came closest on the 70th minute after Dier received the ball a third into the Belgian half, beat Tielemans and Axel Witsel, played a one-two with Rashford to beat Vincent Kompany, chipped Courtois, only to be denied on the line by magnificent block by Alderweireld. England continued to come close, with headers from Dier and Harry Maguire going just wide. Belgium almost scored one of the goals of the tournament after breaking with ridiculous pace. Hazard, Mertens and De Bruyne all linked together beautifully with a range of flicks and quick passing ending with Meunier's volleyed effort being well saved by Pickford's strong right hand. Belgium's midfield had England's defence on strings. The game was all but finished a minute later, albeit against the run of play, after De Bruyne played in Hazard who got the beating of Phil Jones and slotted calmly past Pickford into the bottom left hand corner.
Eric Dier Sees his Chipped Shot Cleared Off the Line
Overall, England had a range of players who outperformed any expectations placed upon them. Harry Kane undoubtedly had a great tournament and will likely be rewarded with the World Cup Golden Boot, which is no easy feat, however, there were games in which he didn't contribute much to the game or the team. While everyone has bad games every so often, but as the captain he should be leading by example. Jordan Henderson also had a fantastic tournament. Despite many doubting Henderson's ability and suitability to the team and was usually associated with only passing backwards and sideways, he's shown this World Cup that he is a crucial member of the team, keeping possession and remaining composed when on the ball to relieve pressure. Something that has been lacking in an England team for many years. A rather impressive statistic to come from the England's World Cup campaign was that of the 690 minutes England played at the World Cup, Henderson played a total of 482 minutes. For those 482 minutes England didn't find themselves behind for a single second of that time. In the 208 minutes Henderson didn't play, England were behind for 136 minutes. This statistic truly shows his importance to the team and how good a World Cup he has had. Perhaps underappreciated, underrated and even too harshly criticised. Arguably our best defender and one of the best defenders at the World cup, Trippier has multiple statistics to his name that support these claims. Within the England team, Trippier won more tackles than any other England player, with 12, and made more interceptions than any other England player, with 10. More impressively, he also had the most chances created out of any other player at the World cup, with 24, and also made the most key passes out of any other player at the World Cup, also with 24. The 'Bury Beckham' tag is more than justifiable. Some other notable stand out performances came from Harry Maguire, who made a name for himself and established himself in the team, with many being sceptical of his selection prior to the tournament. As well as Jordan Pickford, who pulled off multiple great saves to keep England either in games or ahead.
Belgium Players Celebrate Their Highest Ever World Cup Finish
Regarding Belgium, Belgium are a team much further down the line of development than England. This World Cup could likely be their last together and the last of their 'golden generation'. Could this current Belgium side be a vision into the future for England? Good on the ball, can counter attack brilliantly and at ridiculous pace, can break teams down, and are able to beat the biggest forces, like Brazil. Belgium have been arguably one of the best teams in the tournament and were probably unlucky to not be in the final. With players of the calibre of Lukaku, De Bruyne, Hazard, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Courtois. All mainstays and key players in their respective successful Premier League teams. There are still bright upcoming talents and prospects for the Belgians, in the likes of wingers Adnan Januzaj and Charly Musonda, and midfielders Youri Tielemans and Leander Dendoncker.
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