Russia 2018: Belgium claim third place in style

Three Lions of England failed in their bid to claim a consolation third place in Russia after losing 2-0 to Belgium.  The Belgians claimed the upper hand early in the match with Thomas Meunier grabbing the first goal. The Lions efforts to level up in the first 45 minutes of the match failed to yield the needed result.

On resumption of the second half the Lions were fired up and initially looked good to turn the table, but that was not to be as the Eden Hazard shot the game beyond the reach of the three lions thanks to his 82nd minute goal. The strike proved to be the icing on the cake and the

Belgians held on to the comfortable lead till the final whistle.

Belgium no doubt proved to be better side in the two encounters between this two sides in Russia.

They had earlier in the group stage beaten England by a lone goal and consolidating their superiority with a 2-0 defeat in the third place match. Eden Hazard of course emerged the Man of the match at the tie decided in Saint Petersburg.

FIFA President Giovani Infantino was on hand to hand both sides their medals. Former Arsenal great and now assistant coach of Belgium, Thiery Henry was among those who received medals amidst cheers from appreciative Belgian fans.

With the victory, the Red Devils have become the fourth side to win six games at a World Cup but not lift the Trophy ( after Poland (1974, third), Italy (1990, third) and Netherlands (2010, runners-up).

A record 64,406 thousand spectators watched the third place tie at the Saint Petersburg arena.

England captain Harry kane captured the feeling of the side after the final whistle  saying
“In the second half we played really well. We had them on the ropes for the first half-hour of that and we just couldn’t get a goal. We had one cleared off the line and we put the pressure on. But the lads couldn’t give any more, it has been a tough tournament. Belgium are obviously a good team. I can’t fault the lads, we gave it everything.”