On June 28, 2018, England faced Belgium in the final Group G match of the FIFA World Cup, held at the Kaliningrad Stadium. Belgium emerged victorious with a 1-0 win, securing the top spot in the group.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- England: 0
- Belgium: 1 (Adnan Januzaj 51′)
- Possession:
- Belgium had slightly more possession with 53%, while England held 47%. The possession stats reflected a balanced game, with both teams focusing on tactical discipline.
- Shots:
- Belgium registered 15 shots, with 4 on target, demonstrating a proactive approach in creating chances. England had 11 shots, with 1 on target, highlighting a lack of precision in their finishing.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Belgium displayed a passing accuracy of 85%, completing 442 passes out of 520 attempts. England had a slightly lower passing accuracy of 82%, with 372 completed passes out of 453 attempts. Both teams showed a reasonable level of ball control, though Belgium was marginally more precise.
- Defensive Statistics:
- England made 16 tackles, while Belgium made 17, indicating strong defensive efforts from both sides. England committed 9 fouls compared to Belgium’s 11, reflecting a fairly even and disciplined game.
- Set Pieces:
- The match did not feature goals from set pieces. However, Belgium’s goal by Adnan Januzaj was a well-taken individual effort, curling a shot into the top corner after cutting inside from the right.
- Individual Performances:
- Adnan Januzaj was the standout player, scoring the only goal with a brilliant finish. For England, the standout performer was their goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who made key saves to keep his team in the game.
- Tactical Overview:
- England and Belgium both employed 3-5-2 formations, reflecting a tactical battle with emphasis on wing play and midfield control. Both teams had already qualified for the knockout stage, leading to several changes in the lineup and strategic adjustments.
- Disciplinary:
- The match was relatively clean, with only two yellow cards issued, one for each side (Youri Tielemans for Belgium in the 19th minute and Leander Dendoncker in the 53rd minute).
- Corners and Offsides:
- England won 5 corners compared to Belgium’s 4, indicating a balanced game in terms of offensive pressure. Both teams were caught offside once, showing disciplined defensive lines.
Summary
Belgium’s 1-0 victory over England was characterized by tactical discipline and a moment of individual brilliance from Adnan Januzaj. Both teams, already assured of progression to the knockout stages, made several changes to their starting lineups. Belgium’s win allowed them to top Group G, while England finished second. The game, though competitive, had a subdued atmosphere as both sides appeared to focus on conserving energy and avoiding injuries for the knockout rounds.