FIFA World Cup 2018
Third Fouth Place Decider
Belgium 2 (Thomas Munier, E Hazard): England 0
In a match of missed chances where at least 8 goals should have been scored Belgium beat their group H mate England by 2-0 for earning the consolation of the third place.
England dominated the possession had come close to scoring more often than Belgium but failed to push the last touch .Belgium always threatened with quick counter attacks .Looked livelier in the English defense. Muinier scored early in the 4th minute of the match tapping a wonderful pass from Lukaku 1-0. England tried its best to bounce back and equalize.
Chances came in the way of Belgium too. Lukaku looked to carry and injury. Hazard and De Bruyen always threaten. But Harry Kane appeared as a shadow of his self. The first half ended 1-0 .But it could easily be 3-1 in favor of Belgium. But instead they were almost losing the lead.
The second again saw England going all out in the attack, getting inside Belgian defense and losing ideas .Belgium were more into lightening counter attacks. From one such counter attacks Hazrad scored making it 2-0. England had to remain satisfied with the fourth position. Earlier in their group match Belgium had won 1-0.
There would be many post tournament reviews, analysis and research. In our opinion Belgium was one of the inform team that deserved to be in the final of the finals. Unlike England they did not care to choose the difficult path of Brazil France in the knock out stage .Got better of favorite Brazil and just lost to France. Their golden generation is ageing. Few of them many not be seen in 2022. For them it was a golden opportunity lost. But credit must go the Belgians for playing wonderfully aggressive football. In the group stage they were awesome.
They looked the side to go distance in the group of 16 and quarter final against favorite Brazil. They were outwitted a bit against France in the Semi Finals which caused them dear. I am sure Belgium has earned many fans across the world for their wonderful football. The names of Lukaku, Hazarad , De Bruyen, Kompany and Munieir would be heard across the soccer world alongside the fading heroes Messi , Ronaldo and Neymer .
England on the other hand with a young team did not do bad either. Strategically they avoided Brazil France route playing mostly from reserve bench against Belgium in the group match and losing. They struggled in the quarter. Finally they lost to Croatia after taking early lead before losing to Belgium. This team should perform admirably in European Championship and World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
England has never gone so far in WC outside their only WC win at home in 1966. Harry Kane won the Golden boot for scoring the highest 6 goals in the tournament including a hat trick.
BDST: 0929 HRS, JUL 15, 2018
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