The penultimate game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup takes place Saturday in Russia when England and Belgium square off in the third place game.
England lost to Croatia 2-1 in extra time in the semifinal, ending a surprising run to the last four by the Three Lions. Belgium fell to France 1-0 in the other semifinal, but still would notch their best finish at a World Cup with a win. Their previous best was a fourth-place finish in 1986 when they lost to France in this round.
This is the second game between these teams at this tournament. They played in the final game of Group G, but both sides already had secured qualification to the knockout stage and rested many starters as a result.
Keep it right here for score updates, analysis and highlights from Belgium vs. England.
FINAL, 2-0 Belgium
Belgium earns its second win over England at this World Cup and its best ever finish at a World Cup. England places fourth, which is a lot better than many predicted the Three Lions would finish.
82nd minute, 2-0 Belgium: GOAL! A clinical pass by Kevin De Bruyne sets up a goal for Eden Hazard, and that pretty much ends England’s hopes of winning.
80th minute, 1-0 Belgium: A fantastic Belgium counter attack nearly ends with another goal from Thomas Meunier, but his powerful volley is saved by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
70th minute, 1-0 Belgium: Eric Dier works a great give-and-go and chips the Belgian goalkeeper but the ball is cleared off the goal line by Toby Alderweireld. A remarkable play by the Belgium center back.
67th minute, 1-0 Belgium: England’s crosses into the box have been poor. Belgium’s back line has been able to clear the danger with ease.
55th minute, 1-0 Belgium: Kevin De Bruyne threads a perfect pass into the box and again Romelu Lukaku’s touch lets him down. He only had the England goalkeeper to beat.
50th minute, 1-0 Belgium: England needs more from captain Harry Kane. He has attempted seven shots in the knockout rounds and only his penalty kick goal against Colombia hit the target.
46th minute, 1-0 Belgium: The second half is underway!
Halftime, 1-0 Belgium
39th minute, 1-0 Belgium: The first substitution of the game.
34th minute, 1-0 Belgium: Eden Hazard dances into the penalty box but his right-footed shot was blocked out of bounds for a corner. On the ensuing corner, Toby Alderweireld’s volley sailed just over the crossbar.
24th minute, 1-0 Belgium: England is starting to settle in, but shots by Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling sailed wide of the net.
22nd minute, 1-0 Belgium: The Belgians still are dominating possession. Romelu Lukaku nearly doubled his team’s lead but a poor touch inside the box ended the scoring bid.
Here’s another stat on Meunier’s goal.
13th minute, 1-0 Belgium: Belgium is all over England right now. You can feel a second goal coming. Eden Hazard is controlling play in the final two thirds of the field.
5th minute, 1-0 Belgium: Goal! Belgium has struck first thanks to a goal by Thomas Meunier, who was suspended for the semifinal due to yellow cards. England’s Danny Rose didn’t defend that play well at all.
Here’s an interesting stat:
1st minute, 0-0: We’re underway!
9:50 a.m.: The Golden Boot effectively could be decided in this game.
9:30 a.m. ET: Here are the starting lineups for both teams.
