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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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SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – JULY 14: Harry McGuire and Jordan Henderson of England stand dejected with their team mates after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia 3rd Place Playoff match between Belgium and England at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 14, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – JULY 14: Harry McGuire and Jordan Henderson of England stand dejected with their team mates after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia 3rd Place Playoff match between Belgium and England at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 14, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

BELGIUM – 3rd place playoff, matchday 7
Final score: 0-2

The third-place decider has always been something of a controversial inclusion at World Cup finals, simply for the fact that it resembles nothing more than a consolation for the teams involved.

Win and you are awarded bronze medals as a constant reminder of coming up agonisingly short. Lose and you leave the competition with an even greater feeling of disappointment and regret.

This match marked the second meeting between the two sides in Russia, which many had hoped would be in a World Cup final rather than this game. Belgium’s 1-0 semi-final defeat to France ended their bid to win the competition for the first time in their history, despite scoring more goals overall than any other team.

England began this game like they hadn’t yet recovered mentally or physically from their exploits in the semifinals, as the Belgians seized the early initiative.

Thomas Meunier diverted a Nacer Chadli cross into the net after just 4 minutes and Belgium went on to dominate proceedings for the entire first half.

The second period saw Southgate’s fatigued side refuse to lie down quietly and begin to monopolise possession for the first time in the match. They created several chances to equalise, none more inviting than Eric Dier’s, who found himself in on goal after a neat one-two, but then saw his chipped effort cleared off the line by Toby Alderweireld.

However, it was the Belgian’s who were destined to have the final say on matters here – having looked typically dangerous on the break on several occasions, Eden Hazard finally struck.

He found himself in space on the left-hand side following yet another pacey Belgium counter, before leaving Phil Jones for dead and beating Jordan Pickford at his near post with a composed finish.

2-0 it finished and England could only look back at what might have been after a wonderful journey of self-discovery. Their tournament wasn’t defined by this particular defeat, but it did once again show up that Southgate’s young squad was ultimately not quite ready to match the very best sides at this level.

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