Belgium have topped group G, defeating the English 1-nil in a timid and tepid affair between these two nations competing for the ultimate glory.
The first half was borderline questionable as to the competitive integrity of football, as both teams seemed to almost give possession to the other, so little effort were the teams putting into the match.
The second half was significantly more watchable, as both teams managed to string together much more lively play, as Marcus Rashford and the Belgian attack managed some strong shots on target.
It was an Adnan Januzaj belter that would ultimately separate the two sides at full-time, to give the Belgians the top spot in the group and a 100% record going into the knock out phase.
Little to like about this final encounter in Kaliningrad, but now both teams can focus on the cut-throat phase of the competition.
Final score
England 0
Belgium 1
And so we come to the final round of group stage matches, with a red-hot England team trying to keep a hold of top spot against a star-studded Belgium, who should be trying to jump up to top spot in Group G. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4am (AEST).
This could be a knock out stage match, so in a sense, with passage through to the round of 16 secure, now is the perfect time to meet one another. When the pressure is off.
If Panama were world class opposition, you would be almost convinced that England are the new frontrunners to take out the world cup. Even more so now that Germany are gone. In fact, if my twitter feed were anything to go by, you would think that Panama were in fact a world class opponent.
But Panama are not world class, and England are yet to prove that they cannot conjure up disappointment on a regular basis in a global football tournament. For all the hype surrounding England’s huge last-start win, tonight is a bit more of a test, even if the pressure of qualifying is off.
Now, they must truly come up against the pressure of expectation.
Belgium on the other hand are playing as a team without a care in the world. Belgium have been impressive, but calm as well.
Curiously, these two teams have mirrored one another in their group matches to date – one solid win, one big one, but each against different opponents. Tunisia and Panama were always up against it in this group.
And as far as qualification for the knock out stages are concerned, coming first or second may not ultimately make that much of a difference in the round of 16, given that at this stage, little separates Japan, Senegal, or Colombia (all of whom could qualify from group H).
In fact, if anything, it is the runner up position that is the more enticing in group G. Finish second in this group, and you bypass the likes of Brazil, Portugal, France, and Uruguay. Essentially, your path to the final becomes easier, if only slightly.
As the group currently stands, England is on top due to a superior goal difference, so a draw will see them top the group.
How will these teams play it out? I’m going to remain hopeful both teams will realise that tanking at this time of the tournament does nobody any good, because you don’t want bad habits creeping into your team when cut-throat matches are just around the corner.
England have never lost to Belgium in a world cup, having drawn with the Belgians in 1954, and beaten them 1-0 at Italia 90.
Prediction
England and Belgium are yet to play a quality opponent, this is the real test for each team leading into the knock out stages of the tournament. Both defences should be pressed, both attacks should be pressured, both midfields should be stretched, and both keepers should be busy. This may come down to individuals stepping up. Kane v Hazard? Yes please. Hazard just pips the Englishman. Just.
England 2 – Belgium 3
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4am (AEST).
perry cox
Roar Guru
Full Time Belgium have topped group G, defeating the English 1-nil in a timid and tepid affair between these two nations competing for the ultimate glory. The expectations on the match were immediately diminished before kick off, as both teams put out team sheets with upwards of 15 changes between the two sides, the absences of Harry Kane and Eden Hazard being the biggest notable omissions. The first half was borderline questionable as to the competitive integrity of football, as both teams seemed to almost give possession to the other, so little effort were the teams putting into the match. The crowd was annoyed from the get-go, the whistling from the stands unrelenting at times as both teams walked through their movements. Whatever was said to the players, and indeed, whether officials spoke with team management at half-time, at least brought about a lift in the spectacle. The second half was significantly more watchable, as both teams managed to string together much more lively passages of play, Marcus Rashford and the Belgian attack putting together some strong shots on target. It was an Adnan Januzaj belter that would ultimately separate the two sides at full-time, to give the Belgians the top spot in the group and a 100% record going into the knock out phase. His strike was particularly momentous for the young man, given that his heritage had, at one point, seen him torn between playing for either of these nations coming up against each on the field. The goal also sparked the English into action, their own reputations seemingly questioned by the goal. To his credit, Rashford looked the more likely of the English to impact the scoreboard, as he missed the best English chance of the match, when he planted the ball wide of the post in a one on one moment with Thibaut Courtois. A goal mouth scramble, and a Jordan Pickford save from a Dries Mertens pile driver were the other main chances in the half. Little to like about this final encounter in Kaliningrad, but now both teams can focus on the cut-throat phase of the competition. It may be a case of careful what you wish for for England, as while they have avoided the "tougher" half of the knock out phase, they now must navigate a tricky passage past Colombia. Belgium now will fee confident going up against Japan where, hopefully, tougher opponents lie in wait in the path to the world cup final.
England: 0 Belgium: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
Full Time Whistles blows. That'll do it. Belgium, somewhat surprisingly, win this encounter.
England: 0 Belgium: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
93' - Belgium kicking the ball around. This match is mercifully almost done.
England: 0 Belgium: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
92' - Fellaini with a shot from close range! And he misses, hitting the side-netting. Same old, same old, with Fellaini failing to deliver on the pitch in a red shirt.
England: 0 Belgium: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
91' - Oh yeah, goal mouth scramble! Belgium and English players everywhere, and eventually Pickford manages to get his hands on the ball.
England: 0 Belgium: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
91' - 3 minutes of stoppage time?! FOR WHAT?!
England: 0 Belgium: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
90' - This game now meandering towards its conclusion. Belgium stringing more meaningless passes together.
England: 0 Belgium: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
89' - What a shot! Belgium build up, lay the ball out to Mertens, who cracks it to the left of Pickford, and the keeper sees it late, but makes the save! Nice play Belgium.
England: 0 Belgium: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
87' - Rose is fouled and takes the quick free kick, Welbeck is unmarked, who tries to flick it past an unsuspecting Courtois, but it's out for a goal kick.
England: 0 Belgium: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
86' - Belgium with another change. The goal scorer Januzaj comes off, no doubt Martinez will tell him his world cup is over after having the temerity to score. Mertens comes on in his place.
England: 0 Belgium: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
85' - England with a bit of possession here, not really making much of it. Rose sends the ball in though, he's been very active this half.
England: 0 Belgium: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
83' - Rashford sends in the corner ... Welbeck shoots! Fellaini with the goal line block.
England: 0 Belgium: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
81' - Rashford shoots from the free kick, and once again is off target. But only just over the crossbar.
England: 0 Belgium: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
80' - It's pretty funny to watch, Belgium keep fouling England, trying to get yellow cards. In fact, they're trying so hard to get booked, they're kicking the ball away, trying to pick up a card for time wasting. It's farcical. Now, England with another free in the danger zone. Can they or will they get on the scoresheet. Rashford looks on.
England: 0 Belgium: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
79' - WELBECK TIME! He comes on for Alexander-Arnold. Now we should see some action.
England: 0 Belgium: 1
perry cox
Roar Guru
Or, actually, Germany finishing second in their group could have made finishing second in group G even more worthwhile.
perry cox
Roar Guru
I think Germany being knocked out has had a huge effect Ken. Not sure that coming second would be as enticing if they had made the knock out round.
perry cox
Roar Guru
77' - And the most excitement at the moment is on the sideline, where Eden Hazard appears to be warming up.
England: 0 Belgium: 1
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Yea I agree I'm not really angry at the teams more the way the cup can pan out like this.
perry cox
Roar Guru
76' - Courtois deals with the English free kick with ease, and Belgium ease their way out of defence again.
England: 0 Belgium: 1