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As it happenedended

England vs Belgium LIVE World Cup 2018: Eden Hazard goal kills off English hopes as Three Lions finish fourth

Follow all the latest action from the third-place play-off

Molly Hudson
Saturday 14 July 2018 17:06 BST
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England national anthem vs Belgium third-place play-off

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England are back in the game that no one wants to be involved in as they take on Belgium for the accolade of finishing third at the World Cup, which should they win would be their best finish at the tournament since winning it in 1966.

It will be the second time the two teams have played after meeting in the final round of group stage fixtures, where Belgium ran out 1-0 winners to secure top spot in Group G.

Adnan Januzaj scored the only goal of the game there – that may actually have cost Belgium a World Cup final spot given their tougher route – but he doesn't get a second chance to shine as Belgium named their strongest team possible in St Petersburg, with England in contract making numerous changes..

Follow all the live action below...


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What time is it?

The game kicks off at 15:00 BST in St Petersburg.

Where can I watch it?

The third-place play-off will be shown on ITV and the ITV Hub online, with coverage starting at 14:30pm BST.

Prediction

Who cares? Really, who actually remembers who was in the last third-place play-off, let alone who won it? No one wants to play in it and even fewer want to watch it. But, 2-0 Belgium.

Odds

Belgium: 6/5

England: 12/5

Draw: 14/5

82 mins: GOAL! Belgium 2-0 England (Eden Hazard)

That looks to be that, from back to front Belgium are class and it's the world class pairing of De Bruyne and Hazard combining who whips his shot between Pickford and his post.

Molly Hudson14 July 2018 16:41

84 mins: Dele ON, Loftus-Cheek OFF for England

Molly Hudson14 July 2018 16:42

87 mins: Belgium continue to fly forward on the counter and once, a moment ago, it was Vincent Kompany running the length of the pitch and into England's penalty area. That says all you need to know about the confidence of the Belgians.

Molly Hudson14 July 2018 16:46

FULL TIME: Belgium 2-0 England

Goals from Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard enough to display the overall quality of a Belgian side that were unlucky not to make tomorrow's final. This golden generation are now the best to have ever played for Belgium in terms of World Cup finishes, and Harry Kane may well walk away with the Golden Boot.

The bronze medal match a strange one for the loser. After all the success and excitement about their campaign they will return to England on the back of two defeats. Suddenly that win over Sweden feels like years ago.

Molly Hudson14 July 2018 16:53

Harry Kane post-match speaking to ITV

"I thought second half we played really well and had them on the ropes. We couldn't get a goal and had one cleared off the line. The lads couldn't have given anymore it's been a tough tournament and Belgium are a good side.

"120 minutes a couple of days ago but we wanted to play and finish on a high but it shows we can still learn and get better and hold our heads up high.

"Today shows there's still room for improvement, we are not a finished article yet. With this group of lads they'll want to improve every time they get together. We don't want to wait another 20 odd years to get another semi final this is a level we want to stay at now.

"It (the Golden Boot) shows we had a very good group stage and scored a lot of goals. If i do it, it will be something i'll be very proud of. We come into every competition to win but we have made huge strides."

Molly Hudson14 July 2018 17:03

REPORT: Three Lions leave Russia with a whimper to finish fourth after convincing defeat

Molly Hudson14 July 2018 17:04

England vs Belgium: Gulf in class laid bare, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne dictate and Harry Kane quiet again By Lawrence Ostlere

Molly Hudson14 July 2018 17:07

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez speaks post-match about his history-making side

"I think that's all about that achievement, these players deserve that. The talent takes you somewhere but these players wanted to rely on working as a team and will do anything to achieve results.

"They wanted to make the country proud. When you are on the ball and the legs are a little bit tired England are the best team at dead ball situations you have to concentrate. To keep a clean sheet is down to the concentration and desire of the players. These players have broken records the right way and the legacy should stay for many years to come."

Molly Hudson14 July 2018 17:11

Some analysis post-match from Ed Malyon - do you think England have missed the potential impact of Wilfried Zaha

Molly Hudson14 July 2018 17:13

It may feel as though England have whimpered out of this World Cup but it's worth remembering their 4th place finish with a mostly young and experienced side equals anything an England side have EVER achieved when leaving their own shores. Not bad for a side which many said lacked any truly world class players. The Three Lions have roared in Russia.

Molly Hudson14 July 2018 17:19

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