SAN FRANCISCO, November 15, (THEWILL) –Â England dreams of making the UEFA Nations League Finals were dashed as they succumbed to a 2-0 loss to Belgium at the King Power at Den Dreef Stadion in Heverlee, Belgium.
At the very least, Gareth Southgate’s charges needed a draw to keep alive their chances of topping Group A2 going into their final game against Iceland on Wednesday, November 18.
The hosts made a pointedly strong start to proceedings. Some front-footed defending from Jan Vertonghen was followed by the ball being fired up toward Youri Tielemans, whose initial shot took a deflection off Tyrone Mings before going in off the post just 10 minutes in.
England responded and almost hit back immediately. Tottenham Hotspur Harry Kane’s header from a corner was brilliantly cleared off the line by none other than Romelu Lukaku himself.
But Roberto Martinez’s men doubled their lead shortly after. In the 24th minute, Dries Mertens curled in a fine free-kick despite the visitors’ protests that Declan Rice had not committed a foul in the build-up.
England started the second half in the ascendency. From one of a succession of free-kicks at the edge of the Belgium box, forward Harry Kane forced a reflective save from Thibaut Courtois, Belgian keeper, with a low drive.
The visitors could not make the most of their chances, however, a pattern that did not change even with the introduction of Jadon Sancho and Dominic Calvert-Lewin from the bench. It ensured England’s evening would end in defeat.
Belgium therefore knocked England out of the Nations League showing their class by seeing the English off without really getting out of second gear.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
