Belgium pushes England on the podium

The Belgian national team celebrated Saturday its best performance in the history of the World Cup in St. Petersburg. With a 2: 0 (1: 0) against England in the match for third place the "Red Devils" the previous result, the fourth place in 1986 in Mexico, forgotten. Thomas Meunier gave the advantage to Belgium (4th), Eden Hazard ensured a shot in the 82nd minute

The Belgians won the second direct duel with England in the tournament without scoring in the third group match. The teams had a "success of 1-0." For the English there was, as in 1990, a defeat in the fight for third place.However, the team was not to be dissatisfied, fourth place is the second best World Cup performance of all time, and Harry Kane is expected to win the "Golden Boot" for the World Cup scorer.

Harry Kane's Golden Shoe

] In the duel for the Golden Boot of the highest scorer of the last round, the Englishman Harry Kane kept his advantage with six goals for the moment, he remained as his first pursuer Romelu Lukaku (4) of The other side on Saturday without scoring The leader can only be theoretically retained in the final on Sunday between France and Croatia In "Les Bleus" Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe met three times in the tournament until the end of the season. to now

On the side of the Belgians Meunier and Yuri Tielemans have only had ux changes with the inclusion of Meunier and Yuri Tielemans in the semifinal 0: 1 against France in the starting lineup. The English started with Danny Rose, Eric Dier, Phil Jones, Fabian Delph and Ruben Loftus-Cheek with five new points in comparison to the 1: 2 defeat against Croatia after extra time and with 25 years and 174 days with their youngest team departure. WM at all. This did not have a positive effect, the team seemed to be all but recorded before the break.

The match for third place was a commitment from the start. The Belgians developed much more determination and Torgefahr result. Thomas Meunier 's 1: 0 victory was the reward

At the start of the defeat, the English were naturally forced to go into the game. to act. But the goal has hit the mind. It took time for the Three Lions to find out where the enemy case was. Gareth Southgate's men certainly had a very good door scene – in the person of Harry Kane (23 years old). But then nothing comes after. Belgium's chances were more concrete, for example by Romelu Lukaku in the 17th minute

Up to half-time, spectators at the stadium St. Petersburg could be entertained

Hazard decided to play for Belgium

After the break, things went well

The English were in the second half one or two times close! However, the goal scored Belgium's counterattack perfectly played. But in the 82nd minute everything was clear. The danger hit Col De Bruyne. The sixth victory of Lukaku and Co. in the tournament was certain. It had never been so successful at a World Cup for the Belgians before, four at the 2014 edition in Brazil had been the highest feelings. Martinez received a gift on the occasion of his 45th birthday Friday

Results of the vote

Roberto Martinez (Belgium Team Main): "It's clear that's why you're a little tired when you have so many games, so we had problems in the second half, England played long, wide balls." and that's what makes them great, but my players were incredibly focused and we had four "We had ten different scorers in the tournament, and this team did a great job."

Harry Kane (Striker from England): "It was a good match for us, but we just could not try our luck. Alderweireld even scratched the ball in one go. It was tight, we played well, even though we were on the pitch a few days ago, a few days ago, we gave it all. It was a difficult tournament. We have seen that we have somewhat narrowed the gap with the best teams, but today we have also noticed that we still have opportunities for improvement, which we can always learn and improve everywhere. "