World Cup 2018 LIVE - England vs Belgium latest news, team updates and injuries, plus France vs Croatia final build-up, prediction and more
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It’s the penultimate day of the 2018 World Cup, where England will bow out of the tournament after an incredible run that saw them just fall short of tomorrow’s final.
Instead, Gareth Southgate’s side will take on Belgium in the third-place play-off, and while it’s the game that no one wants to feature in, the England manager has insisted his determination to win the St Petersburg encounter end go out with a bang. However, both England and Belgium are expected to rotate their sides after gruelling semi-final defeats.
We’ll also have all the build-up towards the World Cup final, which takes place on Sunday afternoon and features France and, for the first time, Croatia, after they beat England in mid-week. France start as heavy favourites for the Moscow clash, but Croatia have proven a match for anyone so far having been dragged through two penalty shootouts and extra-time.
That's it for today folks, and in fact, that's it for me on the live news blog here with The Independent but make sure you come back tomorrow and tune in as we guide you through the World Cup final between France and Croatia.
But before I leave you, what have we learned from today?
But, above all else, despite England's defeat here today, meaning they finish 4th just like in 1990, we can take away the enjoyment that they have provided for the first time in years. Here, Jon Di Paolo looks in depth at how they've restored faith in a country that's been desperate for it:
3 minutes to go and Belgium are just keeping the ball with ease....
No bronze medals for these English players it would seem.
GOAL: Belgium 2-0 England (Eden Hazard)
Defensive errors allows Eden Hazard in behind with Jones keeping him onside and Hazard does Pickford with the eyes and slots it into the near post.
Surely that's game over or can England provide a magic comeback?
England certainly picking up the pace, quicker passes, moving into space faster BUT the score still remains 1-0 and there's about 15 minutes for the Three Lions to grab an equaliser...
After a positive start to this second half, England have resorted to creating very little and the game has reached a little bit of a lull.
I don't know where the Three Lions are going to find the surge for one last push.
Vardy perhaps?
Source: Getty Images
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Blimey.
Maybe the Manchester United pair can change this statistic?
Meanwhile, it ends a disappointing World Cup for the blue half of Manchester's Raheem Sterling, at least from a numbers point of view with no assists or goals to his name.
SUBSTITUTIONS: RASHFORD & LINGARD ON. STERLING AND ROSE OFF.
One more step. Paul knows.
I'm sure Luka Modric and co will have something to say about this, too.
Let's look ahead to Sunday's final and we'll start at the back... with the goalkeepers.
Both Subasic and particularly Lloris have impressed throughout the tournament, making key saves to help send their teams to their final.
Their defences in front of them have been similarly solid, but if they're breached they know they have a world class goalkeeper behind them to save their skin.
Experts at Genting Bethave been pitting the two against each other in this infographic, all based on their work at the World Cup so far.
Which kind soul will win out?
The tactical genius or the waistcoat whizz?
What can England change in the second half?
Would Vardy or Rashford possibly shake things up?
Nacer Chadli has just been substituted after assisting Thomas Meunier's opening goal but here's a stat for you lovers...
The Belgian winger has played more games at this World Cup then he did for the whole of the Premier League season with West Brom.
10 minutes until half-time, England need to think of something different...
He's not missing much in terms of a good England performance.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek has looked threatening but Belgium will feel they could and should have scored more thus far.
More to come, for sure.
Miguel's on his travels in Moscow...
By the way, it's 1-0 Belgium. Thomas Meunier.
Source: Getty Images
I think Lineker's summed this up rather well... not that it should've needed explaining.
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