World Cup 2018: Belgium 2-0 England highlights
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.
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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.
Belgium can come again
Belgium's delight at a third-place finish - their best at a World Cup - was obvious in the manner in which Martinez and his assistant Thierry Henry celebrated with their players at full-time.
It meant a lot - although it could have been even better after beating Brazil in the quarter-finals only to then lose to France in the last four.
However, Martinez has a truly outstanding squad at his disposal and there is every chance they will now get stronger having gained stature here.
Any squad that boasts the attacking firepower they have in De Bruyne, Hazard and Lukaku, as well as their strength of squad elsewhere, is a force to be reckoned with - and this may be only the start of Belgium's story as a rising football force.
Super Hazard - the stats
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This is Belgium's best finish at a World Cup, having previously finished fourth in 1986.
England have lost three of their past five matches - their previous three losses came over a period of 28 matches.
The Three Lions lost back-to-back matches for the first time since June 2014, when they were beaten by Italy and Uruguay at the 2014 World Cup.
This was England's 100th match at a major tournament - 69 at the World Cup, 31 at the European Championship. They have won 39, drawn 32 and lost 29 of those.
England lost three matches at a major tournament for only the second time, also losing three times at Euro 1988.
Since 1966, no player has been involved in more World Cup goals for Belgium than Hazard (7, 3 goals and 4 assists), level with Jan Ceulemans (4 goals, 3 assists).
Meunier was the 10th player to score for Belgium at this Russia 2018, the joint most by a team at a World Cup - also 10 for France in 1982 and Italy in 2006.
Kane ended the 2018 World Cup with six goals from six shots on target - however, he had just one shot on target in his final four games (his penalty against Colombia in the last 16).
England had as many shots on target in this match as they managed in their previous three knockout games combined (six).
More to follow.
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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
Attendance:
64,406
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