England 0-1 Belgium: Januzaj shoots Red Devils top of Group G

Belgium have claimed top spot in World Cup Group G with a 1-0 win against England in Kaliningrad this evening, courtesy of a Adnan Januzaj strike early in the second half.

The former Manchester United and Sunderland man produced the game’s only real moment of quality, working the ball onto his left and sending it past Jordan Pickford for the decisive moment.

England would have finished at the summit had they held on for a draw, but they now face a last-16 tie against Japan, where as Belgium face Japan.

However, the Red Devils are on course to face Brazil in the quarter-finals, while the Three Lions will have a more favourable last-eight tie against Switzerland or Sweden if they make it that far.

Rashford squandered a glorious chance to level with an hour played, being denied by the fingertips of Thibaut Courtois – one of only two survivors for Belgium from their last outing – when played clean through on goal.

Not until the final quarter of the match did the two managers start turning to their bench, with Vincent Kompany given a first run-out in a month after sustaining an injury in the build-up to the competition.

Rashford dipped a free kick over the crossbar and Fellaini’s block flew past the upright as England chased an equaliser, but it was Belgium who came closest to a second as Pickford parried a long-range drive from substitute Dries Mertens.