Belgium ride Hazard, Meunier goals to end third
SAINT PETERSBURG: Belgium achieved their best World Cup finish as goals from Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard secured a 2-0 victory over England in Saturday’s thirdplace playoff.
Meunier, who missed the semifinal loss to France due to suspension, scored after just four minutes before Hazard grabbed a late second as Belgium eclipsed the side that came fourth at the 1986 edition. Belgium have now defeated England twice in a fortnight, having waited 82 years to beat them before winning 1-0 in their group stage encounter.
“It’sallabouttheachievement, this is Belgium’s best finish at a World Cup. The players deserve that and they wanted to make the country proud,” said Belgium coach Roberto Martinez.
Gareth Southgate’s men were forced to settle for England’s joint best performance at a World Cup abroad, matching that of the 1990 generation. “The lads couldn’t have given any more. Belgium are a good team. I can’t fault the lads, we gave everything,” said England captain Harry Kane.
The Tottenham striker remains the overwhelming favourite to win the Golden Boot with six goals, although he admitted his frustration at failing to find the net in England’s final three games. “It shows we had a good group stage and scored a lot of goals. Obviously I’m disappointed I couldn’t get a goal in the last few games,” he said. Southgate made five changes to the team beaten 2-1 by Croatia.