Belgium achieves the best result in its World Cup history. The team of Roberto Martinez wins in St. Petersburg, the match for third place against England 2-0
Eden Hazard scores for a final score of 2-0. (Image: Sergio Perez / Reuters)
(nda) On Saturday, Belgium began the return journey from St. Petersburg to Brussels. A day earlier, not only will Belgian fans think. Because the Red Devils were one of the big attractions of the tournament. Not only were they highly appreciated, as they had been in previous years, but they also delivered. In all seven World Cup matches, six wins were won, the last against England being ensured by Thomas Meunier (4th) and Eden Hazard (82nd).
Meunier was the tenth Belgian player to score at least one goal in Russia. The Belgian club, which has lost just two games out of 27 under Martinez over the past two years, has shown an impressive balance. Ten different scorers of the same team have only twice in a World Cup: 2006, Italy, France of 1982.
Belgium beat England in the small final of the 2018 World Cup won 2-0. Thus, Belgium takes the third place at this World Cup. (Image: Henry Romero / Reuters) England and Belgium will meet for the second time in today 's match at this final. While the last game of the group stage was held and was insignificant for both teams, you are fighting today for at least third place. (Photo: Dmitri Lovetsky / AP Photo) The red devils could achieve the best result For the Three Lions, 3rd place would be the greatest achievement since the title of 1966. (Photo: Sergey Konkov / Reuters) At the Krestovsky Stadium in St. Petersburg, some 60,000 spectators are hoping for an exciting penultimate match. (Photo: Sergey Konkov / Reuters) The Iranian referee team Alireza Faghani (middle) warms up before the second meeting between England and Belgium during this final round. The first time they clashed in the group stage. (Image: Dmitri Lovetsky / AP Photo) Belgium begins furiously in the game! After only four minutes and the first constructive attack of the red devils, he is already 1: 0! Thomas Meunier runs a five-meter center from Nacer Chadli straight into the goal. (Image: Anton Vaganov / Reuters) The jubilation is great. This is the first goal of the Meunier tournament and a total of sixth in the Belgian national jersey. (Image: Toru Hanai / Reuters) Belgians dominate the action, but in the first half they have almost no chances. There is not much between the two: Belgian defender Kevin De Bruyne is drafted by English defenders Fabian Delph and Eric Dier. (Image: Anton Vaganov / Reuters) The Belgian Thomas Meunier is significantly faster on the right wing than the Englishman Danny Rose. His flanks are mostly inaccurate and harmless. (Photo: Dmitri Lovetsky / AP Photo) The only danger with English is in standard situations. A corner Kieran Trippier is indeed on the head of Harry Maguire. However, Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois can certainly keep his diploma. (Image: Anton Vaganov / Reuters) Shortly before the end of the first half, Romelu Lukaku can break free and has more than defenseman John Stone and the goalkeeper in front of him. This is a John Stone too, as this can block Lukaku's shot. Lukaku is in second place with four goals on the scorers list of the World Cup – the first place occupied by Englishman Harry Kane with six goals. (Image: Henry Romero / Reuters) The first half is over. The spectators are satisfied: especially the Belgians play reasonably well, which is not easy for the small final. (Photo: Olivier Matthys / AP Photo) The coach of England, Southgate, scores a brace at the half. Rashford comes for the pound while Lingard replaces the lethargic rose. (Photo: Natasha Pisarenko / Photo AP) Lukaku is a great opportunity in the 56th minute after a great pass from De Bruyne. (Photo: Sergio Perez / Reuters) Coach Martinez changes Lukaku (right) In the 60th minute against Mertens. Thus, Lukaku has withdrawn from the race for the top scorer. Kane can not be overtaken by France's Griezmann and Mbappé with his six goals – but both scored only three goals. (Image: Dylan Martinez / Reuters) England increases the pressure and gets a huge chance in the 70th minute. After a superb double pass with Marcus Rashford, Eric Dier enters midway into the box, leaving Thibaut Courtois in front of him. (Photo: Dmitri Lovetsky / AP Photo) Dier lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper, but the ball misses a beat. Toby Alderweireld is on hand to save the ball from the line. (Photo: Natacha Pisarenko / AP Photo) Goal for Belgium, 2-0 by Eden Hazard in the 82nd minute. In the left half Kevin De Bruyne passes the ball to Hazard. The captain has one free hand, pushes the ball with his right foot in the corner and scores his third goal of the tournament. English defender Phil Jones does not look good in this situation. (Image: Anton Vaganov / Reuters) The game ends 2: 0 for the Belgians. The English could not convince today. Even star striker Harry Kane (photo) remained pale (Photo: Natacha Pisarenko / AP Photo) Belgium has done a lot more for the game and deserves to participate in the photo contest for third place. (Image: Michael Dalder / Reuters)
Belgium beat England 2-0 for good reason and secured third place
Third place can not satisfy the Belgians but it is no less historical. Hazard and Co. are doing better than their predecessors of 1982, who had lost the ranking match against France after the semifinal. "It's a great performance, and my players deserve it," said Martinez. "We have become a team capable of doing everything."
A few days after defeat in France's semifinal, the Belgians finished the tournament on a positive note, while England did little in this rather lethargic match. After all, the English prepared in the second half against defeat. After Harry Kane, with his six goals on the way to the top scorer, had missed the equalizer of a good position before the break, later Eric Dier offered the best chance of making 1- 1. The midfielder, one of five Englishmen who were promoted to the starting line against the semifinal lost against Croatia, missed the equalizer in the 70th minute by a few inches. Toby Alderweireld saved on the goal line.
Belgium defended and counterattacked. Romelu Lukaku, who still had ambitions for the top scorer, stumbled two good balls in front of the English goal. The last point was finally the best of Belgium: Eden Hazard. The skilled dribbler scored eight minutes before the end after a 2-0 counterattack.
