Group G winners may be resolved by drawing lots
The drawing of lots could be used to decide who wins Group G if England and Belgium draw Thursday’s head-to-head in Kaliningrad.
But Gareth Southgate ruled out trying to finish second deliberately after his side’s 6-1 thrashing of Panama drew them dead level with their closest rivals on points, goal difference and goals scored.
Only their disciplinary records separate England and Belgium, with the former topping the group after accruing two yellow cards to the latter’s three.
If Thursday’s match ends in a draw and England do not pick up more cards than their opponents, the two sides will finish in that order. If even their disciplinary records cannot be used to separate them then tournament regulations dictate a random draw would take place at one of the media centres at the Luzhniki Stadium or Spartak Stadium shortly after the match in a ceremony that would be open to the media and streamed live.
Perversely, it could be in each of their interests to finish second given that the side topping the group are scheduled to play the winner of Group E – led by Brazil – if both reach the quarter-finals. The runners-up, meanwhile, are on track to face the winner of Group F, currently led by Mexico. Before the tournament, it was widely expected that group would be won by defending champions Germany – and it might still be. England would be leading Group G on goal difference had Panama not scored a late consolation and Southgate said: “The only downside was the goal. We wanted to control the group with our goal difference, and we’ve missed out on that opportunity.”
He added of Thursday’s game: “We would want to keep momentum and keep progressing. I’ve heard talk of it being better finishing second, but how do you work all that out, really? Let’s go and enjoy it again.”
Southgate added: “I think what we’ve got to do over the next 36 hours or so, is decide what our priority is. For me, the harmony of the group is high on that list.
“At this moment, my thoughts are with the players who haven’t played as much, but I have to consider everything.”
Belgium manager Roberto Martinez announced after his own side thrashed Tunisia on Saturday that he would make “major changes” for Thursday’s game.
Although there is no suggestion either side would do anything this week other than try to win the group, it is not unprecedented for teams to attempt to throw a match if in their interest to do so.
It would also not be unprecedented for an England player to pick up a deliberate yellow card when it was in his and his team’s interests, with David Beckham having admitted to doing so in a World Cup qualifier against Wales in 2004. He escaped punishment due to “insufficient evidence”.