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Belgium 2-0 England: Sparkling Red Devils see off sluggish England to win bronze (AS IT HAPPENED) LIVE UPDATES

14 Jul, 2018 13:35
Belgium 2-0 England: Sparkling Red Devils see off sluggish England to win bronze (AS IT HAPPENED)
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Live updates as Belgium face England in the World Cup third-place playoff in St. Petersburg. See the text below for all the action and reaction as it happens.

  • 14 July 2018

    15:52 GMT

    Belgium's class told today, with Kevin De Bruyne in particular being in sublime form in midfield.

    England toiled, but the Three Lions were ultimately toothless and bowed out in defeat. 

    Plenty still to work on for Gareth Southgate's team, but progress nonetheless from the embarrassments of Brazil 2014 and the European Championships in 2016.

    For Belgium, it was a golden chance at World Cup glory gone begging for the golden generation, but at least they finished on a high. 

    You can read our full match report here.  

    Goodbye for now - but be sure to join us for full coverage of the big one between France and Croatia tomorrow. 

  • 15:50 GMT

    Full-time: Belgium 2-0 England

    The Belgians clinch third place at Russia 2018. Hugs all-round from the players, their World Cup race is run. 

  • 15:47 GMT

    3 minutes of added time in St. Petersburg. 

  • 15:45 GMT

    88 mins: Belgium comfortable now with that two-cushion, seeing this out with ease.   

    RT

  • 15:43 GMT

    85 mins: Wonderful block from John Stones to deny Kevin De Bruyne as Belgium break again. Stones has been brilliant today - and indeed for much of the tournament for England. Just that blemish to his name that allowed Mario Mandzukic to slip in for the Croatian winner on Wednesday.  

  • 15:41 GMT

    84 mins: England with a change, Dele Alli comes on for Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The Chelsea man had a solid game, and is definitely one for the future for the Three Lions.  

  • 15:40 GMT

    Eden Hazard seals it for Belgium with his third goal of Russia 2018. De Bruyne plays him in, past a flailing Phil Jones, and Hazard slots cooly past Pickford. That was always the danger for England, pressing forward and leaving themselves exposed at the back.   

    RT

  • 15:39 GMT

    GOAL! Belgium 2-0 England 

  • 15:37 GMT

    80 mins: Brilliant attack from Belgium, brilliant save from Pickford. Meunier looks to add a second when he meets a cross full on the volley, but Pickford saves athletically to his right. Great play all round there.  

  • 15:34 GMT

    Decent attendance in St. Petersburg today - a few empty seats, but the official turnout is very healthy at least.