World Cup 2018 LIVE - England vs Belgium latest news, team updates and injuries, plus France vs Croatia final build-up, prediction and more
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?
Well, England have been defeated in the 3rd place play off final, losing 2-0 to Belgium courtesy of goals from Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard.
Belgium showed their worth with Hazard shining throughout the game and their quality really told against an England side that couldn't find a spark.
But also, we take a look ahead to France and Croatia where Miguel Delaney has been analysing what to expect from both sides tomorrow.
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:
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 Bet have been pitting the two against each other in this infographic, all based on their work at the World Cup so far.
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.
Comments