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Better World Cup performance to finish … Belgium dominated England (2-0) on Saturday in St. Petersburg and finished third in World Cup-2018, its best result in thirteen participations.
The "golden generation" led by scorer Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne overcame the disappointment of the semi-final lost to France on Tuesday (1-0) to finally reach the podium of a great competition, after several years of results below its huge potential.
The Devils conclude on a good note a world championship for them: better ranking after the 4th place of 1986, records of goals scored (16), victories ( 6) and a feat against Brazil in the quarter (2-1) that surprised the world …
Especially, the men of Roberto Martinez have made an appointment with the future. They leave Russia with the conviction that they can aim higher for the Euro-2020, their next big goal.
"We are still sad to have lost the semifinal but we were good three days later to win Now, the most important thing is to look at the future, "said Hazard. "And I hope the future will be better than it is today."
England, too, has left the mark on St. Petersburg in London, where its fans have become pbadionate about their young selection, totally invigorated after Euro-2016's humiliating defeat against Iceland in the round of 16
Coach Gareth Southgate was also able to gauge what the Three Lions are missing to play with the greats: notably better offensive efficiency. Harry Kane, the world's top scorer at least until Sunday of the final (6 goals), has been silent for the last three games.
– Kane discrete –
As for the Belgians, the English are are now turning with appetite for the Euro to come, especially since they will host the semi-finals and final at Wembley. "We're disappointed that we did not win, but it's a way to learn, to progress, there is room for progress," said the star of Tottenham.
The margin is indeed large. Saturday, the opportunities were not lacking for the English, but they sinned too much in their realization. Kane, discreet, missed his only attempt, on a half cross volley (23).
It is also … a defender, Eric Dier, who was the most dangerous. In a duel against Thibaut Courtois, he wiped out the goalkeeper, but Toby Alderweireld came to save the goal on his own line. (1965)
In the face of a lack of English success, Belgium did not not having to force his talent, operating in counters, more or less felt, rather than offering a game licked.
– Meunier goes too fast –
Thomas Meunier offered a quick advantage to the Devils (4), by taking as a center-forward a center of Nacer Chadli. The PSG player became the 10th Belgian scorer of the tournament – a record on a World Cup, shared with France 1982 and Italy 2006, according to the statistician Opta.
De Bruyne, on a deflected shot (11) , Alderweireld (35) or Meunier (80) could have bent more quickly the match, but the honor eventually returned to the captain, Eden Hazard, one of the great men of the tournament and surely one of the big agitators of the market. transfers from Monday
Chelsea's N.10, served by De Bruyne, deposed Phil Jones and then deceived Jordan Pickford from right (82).
Hazard claimed after defeat against France that Belgium " was the most beautiful team in the World Cup. For lack of a better, with his third place, the "golden generation" offers his country the highest ranking in its history.
"It's always nice to go on vacation with a medal", Thibaut Courtois consoled himself. "Of course, everyone wants to be on the top of the podium, but to be third is + +."
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