England took on Belgium in their last game in the group stages with both teams in impressive form from the start of the tournament.

What’s special about both of these sides is that most of their star players are from top Premier League clubs.

On paper, many thought it would be an intense game but since both sides have already qualified to the round of 16, most of the unused squad members were on the pitch.

Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku were rested for their sides as well as Jesse Lingard and Kevin De Bruyne.

The sides played at the Kaliningrad Stadium on Thursday evening in a pretty calm match.

Though the Three Lions and Red Devils were cheering in the stands, tactically both managers told their teams to play possession football.

Belgium slightly had the edge over England as they had fast players on the flanks.

Monaco’s Youri Tielemans impressed by the get-go as he almost converted a chance from his right foot at 25-yards out.

Moments later Michy Batshuayi could have scored in the box after Marouane Fellaini drove the ball into his path.

England weren’t in a panic as their full backs did well in ball retention to push up front and support the attack.

Both Danny Rose and Trent Alexander Arnold were looking impressive going forward but just weren’t able to shake the Belgian defence.

One of the biggest highlights of the first half was when Jordan Pickford nearly let the ball into the net.

Just as it was on the goal line, Gary Cahill managed to clear it from the England box.

The first half ended 0-0 as it looked reminiscent to the England we have seen in the last 12 months.

Six minutes into the second half, Belgium managed to find an breakthrough as former Manchester United youngster Adnan Januzaj scored a left foot curler to put Belgium on top of Group G.

The rest of the game remained somewhat calm with Marcus Rashford inches away from finessing an equaliser moments after the first goal.

Dries Mertens also came close to getting a second for the Red Devils from range but the match ended 1-0 to the visitors.

This means that in the next round, Belgium will face Japan while England will face Colombia.

Gareth Southgate is confident in his team performing against Los Cafeteros in the Round of 16.

 

Source of Image: @FIFAWorldCup (Twitter)

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