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Breaking down England’s World Cup adventure in Russia

By James Westwood

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 11: Players of England applaud their fans following their loss to Croatia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between England and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 11, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 11: Players of England applaud their fans following their loss to Croatia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between England and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 11, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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KALININGRAD, RUSSIA – JUNE 28: Vincent Kompany of Belgium acknowledges the fans following the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between England and Belgium at Kaliningrad Stadium on June 28, 2018 in Kaliningrad, Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
KALININGRAD, RUSSIA – JUNE 28: Vincent Kompany of Belgium acknowledges the fans following the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between England and Belgium at Kaliningrad Stadium on June 28, 2018 in Kaliningrad, Russia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /

 BELGIUM – Group G, matchday 3
Final score: 0-1

Billed pre-tournament as the clash that could make or break England’s campaign; in the end, their first match against a higher class of opposition in the tournament became no more than an opportunity to freshen things up ahead of the knockout phase.

Belgium also won their opening two games in a comfortable fashion which rendered this encounter as little more than a formality, although it would decide who finished first and second in the group and end up having larger ramifications in terms of the tournament draw.

Roberto Martinez made 9 changes to his squad compared to Southgate’s 8, giving the likes of Michy Batshuayi, Thorgan Hazard, Marcus Rashford and Trent Alexander Arnold the chance to shine for their respective nations.

The game was as subdued as one might have expected given the wholesale changes to both starting XI’s, as neither team managed to create any clear chances in the first half.

The second half saw Belgium begin to take control in midfield and former Manchester United star Adnan Januzaj came up with a piece of magic to give his country the lead. He manufactured a yard ahead of Danny Rose in the box before expertly curling the ball past Jordan Pickford.

Despite the defeat, there were positives for England, particularly the performance of Loftus Cheek in midfield, who constantly wanted the ball and tried to drive his team forward. But ultimately the three lions finished second in Group G as a result, setting up a clash with Columbia.

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