BY DAMOLA EMMANUEL
In a match that underscored the gulf between the two footballing nations, Belgium, rated Number 3 by FIFA before the World Cup in Russia, showed superior skill, as they thrashed England 2-0 in Saturday’s third place play-off in St Petersburg.
It took only four minutes for Belgium to seize the initiative as Thomas Meunier slid in ahead of Danny Rose to divert Nacer Chadli’s cross past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. The fourth minute goal worked like a mighty energiser for a Belgium side that seemed perfect in all departments of the game as they tried all the tricks in the books to increase the tally.
But England, who many thought had surpassed all expectations in this tournament showed they also meant business. Indeed, they created many scoring opportunities in the second half but could not convert any.
On one occasion, Toby Alderweireld cleared an Eric Dier’s shot off the goal line while Harry Maguire also headed wide from what looked like an excellent position.
Belgium, however, put the matter beyond controversy when with only eight minutes to go, Eden Hazard got the better of Phil Jones, beat Pickford, before firing home a powerful shot. That 82nd goal wrapped the game for Belgium and secured a return ticket to London for England.
Moments before that backbreaker, Pickford had pulled a magnificent safe off Meunier. That has now become a mere footnote as Belgium clinched the bronze, leaving England empty-handed.
Though defeated, and ending in the fourth position, England will go home with their heads high because it was a long while ago that the Three Lions came this close to sipping from the World Cup diadem.
Better still, the English top striker, Harry Kane, may likely go home with the top scorer’s prize, the Golden Boot, unless Kylian Mbappé or Antoine Griezmann runs riot in Sunday’s final. If that doesn’t happen, it will spice the celebration in London. The English team holds a lot for the future.
Though Belgium ended with Bronze, it is one trophy that looks almost as good as gold, judging from the fiery runs of the team in Russia 2018. The team scored six victories from seven matches, and many football buffs are still baffled as to why they missed out of Sunday’s final. The buffs believe the bronze is grossly inadequate to express the efforts of a team that brim with talents and loaded with 10 different goal scorers who were all geniuses in the game.
Until he got injured in the epic battle against France, and was again substituted on the hour in Saturday’s third place play-off, Lukaku looked good for the Golden Boot. With four goals in the kitty, he looked like a sure candidate. But his hopes were dashed with the substitution and injury, and his disappointment was not veiled as he strode down to the tunnel. He didn’t even attend the post-match briefing.
