Belgium-England: Duel frustrated (+ infographic) | Soccer

EFE

Belgium and England still affected by the elimination in the semi-final, close their participation in Russia 2018 at the meeting scheduled at the St Petersburg Stadium, to determine third place in the World Championship

This is a forced consolation for two teams who, a few days ago kept their expectations much higher . This will not relieve the winner excessively and will not aggravate the penalty of the losers. But this is one more appointment in the tournament schedule, the penultimate one, which must be completed.

Returning to St. Petersburg in Belgium . The scenario that half a week ago invaded the disappointment after losing to France in the semi-final in a historic rendezvous for the selection of "red devils".

The bet, however, is a major prize for all of Roberto Martínez . A third place would be the best ranking of a World Cup in the history of Belgian football.

He had only known a similar situation once. He was in Mexico in 1986. Abandoned in the final by Argentina, he gave France third place, again France, who won 4-2 in overtime.

The Belgian national team has never been seen in another match. most applauded for their game proposal, for the show on the lawn and for victories as memorable in Russia 2018 as the return to Japan in the second round or the brilliant triumph against Brazil a little later.

Belgian football, probably more talented, was halfway to the final. The clash may suppose a farewell to the selection for some of its members that in four years will be submitted by the twilight of his career. Russia 2018 was considered the last great opportunity for many of its components. Players like Vincent Kompany, Marouane Fellaini or Dries Mertens might be facing their last World Cup fixture.

Belgium, however, left behind the losing ballast that fell on it. Brazil 2014 and the 2016 European Championship of France. The team of Roberto Martínez, a technician who comes out stronger from the competition, has not yet faced the tournament.

The Spanish coach, who has rested nine of his latest starters, who make more spending in Russia, in Thursday's session, can substantially change his eleven against England, a team that has already exceeded 1-0 days ago, in the group stage.

All team ground components have I had a few minutes in this World Cup. In this sense, there is no pending commitment. However, you can remove Eden Hazard, Tobi Alderweireld or Kevin De Bruyne . Romelu Lukaku however, has his last chance to hunt down Harry Kane in the rankings. Two goals separate him from the English in one of the few incentives of the match.

England enters this match for third place after the disappointment of the semi-finals defeat of Luzhniki Moscow against Croatia, in a match where he led the scoreboard with a goal of direct lack of lateral Kieran Trippier, but who could not finish when he dominated in the first part.

After seeing how Ivan Perisic matched the game in a second time that the English side fell several times and fell into extra time thanks to Mario Mandzukic to the great disappointment a large number of messages of encouragement and pride were added by a very young group that competed for In this way, the "Three Lions" of Gareth Southgate will compete in St. Petersburg for finishing in the best way a 2018 Russian World Cup in which no one thought they could be competing at this stage, even for final consolation.