England and Belgium both approached their final game of the group stages with the luxury of knowing their place in the last-16 was already secured. With the winner poised to win the group, a draw would be sufficient for Gareth Southgate's men to progress; England in possession of a superior disciplinary record.
With the group stages successfully dealt with, thoughts turned to who may be the next opponent for both of these teams. The winners of Group G are set to take on Japan; while the runners up face Colombia. Progress beyond this round-of-16 tie though, and things become more complicated depending on your route.
After Japan comes Brazil. Whereas a win against Colombia would guarantee either side a quarter-final clash with Sweden or Switzerland. Although Southgate has stated his intention to win tonight's game against Belgium and take what comes, Belgium's Roberto Martinez had a decidedly more realistic outlook.
Belgium manager Roberto Martinez: "We want to perform well but the priority is not to win." Let me just sit down for a minute....
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) June 28, 2018
Although allowing England to simply walk the ball past Thibaut Courtois in the Belgian goal may be a touch too severe, Martinez's men are certainly trying to make sure that they will not be going ahead on the disciplinary front.
In a timid first-half, yellow-cards for Youri Tielemans and Leander Dendoncker were greeted with an unusual sense of excitement.
Tielemans gets the first yellow to cheers from the Belgian fans. Southgate should really have brought Kevin Davies
— Kieran Canning (@KieranCanning) June 28, 2018
Some Belgian fans applauding a booking for Dendoncker for a foul on Rose. 5-2 now. This is turning into a rout.
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) June 28, 2018
Belgium fans cheer when Tielemans is shown a yellow card - they want second place
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) June 28, 2018
Belgian fans away to our right cheer the first booking - they clearly want to stay away from Brazil
— Matthew Dunn (@MattDunnExpress) June 28, 2018
Belgium pulls ahead in the battle for 2nd with the first yellow. Well played boys.
— Daniel Drakos (@DanielDrakos) June 28, 2018
Belgium yellow card a bitter blow for England.
— John Brewin (@JohnBrewin_) June 28, 2018
#WorldCup Another Belgian booking, this time for Dendoncker. Belgium streaking ahead in the foul play league #BEL #ENG #ENGBEL
— Peter Wood (@gallowgate_pete) June 28, 2018
Second yellow for #Bel is also cheered by Belgian fans. They want to lose this match #ENGBEL
— Patrick Galey (@patrickgaley) June 28, 2018
Belgian fans rejoicing at a yellow card like they scored a goal lmao #ENGBEL
— Zak 🖤 (@zak4994) June 28, 2018
Having largely had the best chances of the game so far, Belgium appeared set to take things down a notch in the second-half.
Enter Adnan Januzaj.
After a quiet first-half, the former Manchester United scored an absolutely beautiful goal to give Martinez's men an early second-half lead.
England 0-1 Belgium - Boom! Adnan Januzaj brings a dull game to life with a wonderful strike #rtesoccer #worldcup #ENG #BEL pic.twitter.com/mQaPfJoVtJ
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 28, 2018
