Southgate looks to get momentum back on track

Boss Gareth Southgate is confident England can beat Colombia in Tuesday’s last-16 World Cup clash.

But he acknowledges that England must regroup and improve after last night’s disappointment against Belgium.

Asked how much England will need to improve against Colombia, Southgate said: “Everybody’s seen the level we’ve been playing at, we can see the level of some of the best, and we’ve just got to keep improving.”

He was also asked about the loss of momentum going into the knockout stages, with England having won both of their opening two group matches.

He said: “We talked about momentum. Momentum shifts in games, and we kept pressing right to the end.

“The supporters here have been brilliant, fantastic following for us, so I think they understand what the most important thing is.” Belgium boss Roberto Martinez says he is happy to have set up a tie against Japan by winning the group, despite admitting it is logistically a tougher ask. “Well, honestly, I am delighted, just in the manner of the performance,” Martinez said. “Remember we made nine changes. In international football, that’s just almost a desperate call to see a loose team with no understanding of what we’re trying to do. I didn’t see that at all.

“I don’t think in a World Cup you can be successful by trying to hope to have an easy path. We saw that in the Euros two years ago.”

Martinez does not believe England were ready to settle for a defeat in order to finish in second place.

He said: “Not really no. I think you can say that obviously if they wanted to push for the game maybe they could have brought Harry Kane on the pitch, but apart from that I saw a group of players that wanted to do things well.

“When you are on the pitch it’s very difficult not to try your best, it’s a World Cup and you’re playing for your nation.

“I saw an England team that tried what they could with the players they had on the pitch.”