Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Saint Petersburg: Belgium achieved their best FIFA World Cup finish as goals from Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard secured a 2-0 victory over England in Saturday's third place Play-off in Saint Petersburg.
Meunier, who missed the semi-final loss to France due to suspension, scored after just four minutes before Hazard grabbed a late second as Belgium eclipsed the side that came fourth at the 1986 edition.
Belgium have now defeated England twice in a fortnight, having waited 82 years to beat them before winning 1-0 in their group stage encounter.
Gareth Southgate's men were forced to settle for England's joint best performance at a World Cup abroad, matching that of the 1990 generation.
He made five changes to the team beaten 2-1 by Croatia in the last four, as England fielded their youngest World Cup line-up in history -- with an average age of 25 years and 174 days.
Phil Jones, Danny Rose, Eric Dier, Fabian Delph and Ruben Loftus-Cheek all came into the side, while Belgium boss Roberto Martinez recalled Meunier and handed a start to Youri Tielemans.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/fabian_delph_of_england_tackles_kevin_de_bruyne_of_belgium.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/asian_referees_-_fifa_third_place.html
