World Cup 2018: England finish fourth after Belgium defeat

Published on: 14 July 2018

Eden Hazard

Hazard has had a hand in five goals in six games at the World Cup

England's World Cup campaign ended in disappointing fashion as they were beaten by Belgium in the third-place play-off in St Petersburg.

Gareth Southgate's side delivered the Three Lions' best showing at the tournament since 1990 but finished with back-to-back losses after the agonising 2-1 semi-final defeat in extra time against Croatia.

Belgium missed out on reaching their first final when they were beaten by France in the last four, but full-back Thomas Meunier, who was suspended for the previous game, slotted in Saturday's opening goal from close range after just four minutes.

Captain Eden Hazard was impressive throughout the contest and scored his side's second goal with seven minutes remaining.

Midfielder Kevin de Bruyne forced Jordan Pickford into a fine one-handed save shortly after and the Everton goalkeeper also made a sharp save to keep out Meunier's thumping volley.

England looked flat after their efforts on Wednesday and were second best in the opening period, before threatening to find a breakthrough in the second half.

Eric Dier's low drive was comfortable for Thibaut Courtois and Dier then had a dinked shot brilliantly cleared off the line by Tottenham team-mate Toby Alderweireld.

As Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku failed to find the net, it means opposite number Harry Kane, who came closest to netting by scuffing a shot wide, continues to lead the Golden Boot race with six goals.

The World Cup final takes place in Moscow on Sunday (kick-off 16:00 BST), with 1998 champions France taking on Croatia.

    Relive Belgium's win over England Player Rater: Belgium v England

England's run ends in disappointment

Southgate made five changes to the team beaten by Croatia - but there was still a clear determination to secure their best result at this tournament since 1966.

And with Belgium counterpart Roberto Martinez adopting the same approach, it made for an entertaining play-off in this magnificent arena in St Petersburg.

It would have been easy for England's heads to drop after defensive sloppiness from Danny Rose - who allowed Meunier to slide in on his blind side - led to them falling behind so early.

England, as others have before them, struggled to cope with the variety of Belgium's attack, but their attitude was once again commendable and they had chances to pull the game level before Hazard snuffed out their hopes.

Dier's clever chip was miraculously cleared off the line by Alderweireld, before he and Harry Maguire headed wide from good positions as England pressed.

This is a fixture regarded as an unwanted intrusion for teams who have suffered the despair of a World Cup semi-final defeat, but Belgium and England made it competitive.

It was, in some respects, a game too far for England after the disappointment of Wednesday's loss to Croatia - but to go home having finished fourth at this spectacular World Cup in Russia is no disgrace.

Stones maintains the standard

England defender John Stones, apart from one lapse that let Mario Mandzukic in for Croatia's winner in Moscow on Wednesday, has had a magnificent World Cup.

And he ended it with a flawless performance in St Petersburg, doing more than anyone to keep Belgium's outstanding attack at bay.

Stones produced a standout moment in the first half when he retreated in the face of Lukaku running at him, biding his time before making a perfect tackle.

He was the barrier on countless occasions and even got a handshake from his Manchester City team-mate De Bruyne for one late interception.

Stones' ability to play out from the back and his cultured style are integral to Southgate's future plans - and he has performed in this tournament in exactly the manner his most fervent admirers hoped he would.

More to follow.

    Line-ups Match Stats Live Text

Line-ups

Belgium

    1Courtois

    2Alderweireld

    4Kompany

    5Vertonghen

    15Meunier

    17TielemansSubstituted forDembéléat 78'minutes

    6WitselBooked at 90mins

    22ChadliSubstituted forVermaelenat 39'minutes

    7De Bruyne

    10E Hazard

    9LukakuSubstituted forMertensat 60'minutes

Substitutes

    3Vermaelen

    8Fellaini

    11Carrasco

    12Mignolet

    13Casteels

    14Mertens

    16T Hazard

    18Januzaj

    19Dembélé

    20Boyata

    21Batshuayi

    23Dendoncker

England

    1Pickford

    16Jones

    5StonesBooked at 52mins

    6MaguireBooked at 76mins

    4Dier

    12Trippier

    21Loftus-CheekSubstituted forAlliat 84'minutes

    17Delph

    3RoseSubstituted forLingardat 45'minutes

    9Kane

    10SterlingSubstituted forRashfordat 45'minutes

Substitutes

    2Walker

    7Lingard

    8Henderson

    11Vardy

    13Butland

    14Welbeck

    15Cahill

    18Young

    19Rashford

    20Alli

    22Alexander-Arnold

    23Pope

Referee:

Alireza Faghani

Match Stats

Home TeamBelgiumAway TeamEngland

Possession

Home42%

Away58%

Shots

Home12

Away15

Shots on Target

Home4

Away6

Corners

Home4

Away5

Fouls

Home11

Away4

Live Text

Posted at

Match ends, Belgium 2, England 0.

Full TimePosted at 90'+4'

Second Half ends, Belgium 2, England 0.

BookingPosted at 90'+3'

Axel Witsel (Belgium) is shown the yellow card.

Posted at 90'+3'

Harry Kane (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 90'+3'

Foul by Thomas Vermaelen (Belgium).

Posted at 90'+1'

Foul by Harry Maguire (England).

Posted at 90'+1'

Axel Witsel (Belgium) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 85'

Attempt blocked. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Eden Hazard.

SubstitutionPosted at 84'

Substitution, England. Dele Alli replaces Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Posted at 84'

Eric Dier (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 84'

Foul by Dries Mertens (Belgium).

Goal!Posted at 82'

Goal! Belgium 2, England 0. Eden Hazard (Belgium) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne.

Posted at 80'

Attempt saved. Marcus Rashford (England) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Fabian Delph.

Posted at 80'

Marcus Rashford (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 80'

Foul by Mousa Dembélé (Belgium).

Posted at 80'

Attempt saved. Thomas Meunier (Belgium) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Dries Mertens.

SubstitutionPosted at 78'

Substitution, Belgium. Mousa Dembélé replaces Youri Tielemans.

Posted at 77'

Harry Kane (England) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 77'

Foul by Vincent Kompany (Belgium).

BookingPosted at 76'

Harry Maguire (England) is shown the yellow card.

Posted at 76'

Attempt missed. Dries Mertens (Belgium) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne following a fast break.

Posted at 74'

Attempt missed. Harry Maguire (England) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Kieran Trippier following a set piece situation.

Posted at 74'

Jesse Lingard (England) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 74'

Foul by Axel Witsel (Belgium).

Posted at 73'

Attempt missed. Eric Dier (England) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Jesse Lingard with a cross.

Posted at 72'

Corner, England. Conceded by Vincent Kompany.

Posted at 71'

Marcus Rashford (England) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 71'

Foul by Vincent Kompany (Belgium).

Posted at 71'

Hand ball by Youri Tielemans (Belgium).

Posted at 70'

Attempt missed. Harry Maguire (England) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ruben Loftus-Cheek with a headed pass following a corner.

Posted at 70'

Corner, England. Conceded by Toby Alderweireld.

Posted at 70'

Attempt blocked. Eric Dier (England) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Marcus Rashford with a through ball.

Posted at 68'

Attempt saved. Eric Dier (England) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Kieran Trippier.

Posted at 66'

Attempt missed. Harry Kane (England) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Kieran Trippier with a cross following a corner.

Posted at 65'

Corner, England. Conceded by Thomas Meunier.

Posted at 63'

Corner, Belgium. Conceded by Kieran Trippier.

Posted at 62'

Corner, Belgium. Conceded by Fabian Delph.

SubstitutionPosted at 60'

Substitution, Belgium. Dries Mertens replaces Romelu Lukaku.

Posted at 56'

Attempt blocked. Jesse Lingard (England) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Posted at 54'

Attempt missed. Jesse Lingard (England) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Kieran Trippier.

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goal

Source: bbc.com

Source: bbc.com

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