How did the teams set up?
[coach 474589] started with [player 1826] in the goal with [player 911], [player 916] and [player 2884] at the back in a back three. The midfield saw the return of skipper [player 323] deployed alongside [player 5273] in the centre of midfield. [team 8]’s [player 1917] started as the right wing-back with [player 1016] at the left. [team 18]’s [player 537121] and [team 14]’s [player 1878] started behind the inform [team 13] striker [player 5141] in a 3-4-2-1.
For [team 18743], [coach 474796] had [player 633] in goal with a back three of [player 988], [player 1439] and [player 1487]. [team 42]’s in form [player 62337] and [player 61517] started as wing-backs with [player 60270] and [player 62342] in central midfield. Given the armband, [player 1371] started alongside [player 96092] and in behind [team 2930]’s [player 995]. The away side also set up in a 3-4-2-1 but had De Bruyne in a sought of a free role in between the lines.
Fixture details: [fixture 12027157]
First-half review
Belgium started the game strongly and had control in the midfield. They were penetrating [team 18645]’s backline in a well-planned way as they rightly pointed out the lack of pace between Maguire and Dier. They kept attacking down the right side through Meunier and Carrasco with De Bruyne playing in the hole.
The plan worked well, and in the 10’ minute, Carrasco scored for the Belgians. However, the celebrations didn’t last too long as the flag was raised for offside. The verdict was Castagne was blocking Pickford’s view and was in an offside position. As a result, the lead was cancelled, and the scoreline stayed goalless.
Six minutes later, Lukaku and Dier were involved in a footrace in the inside right channel and entered box when Dier made a ridiculous sliding challenge and Belgium were awarded a spot-kick. Lukaku himself converted it, and Belgium kept cruising later on.
England, however, equalized despite not being so good when they were awarded a penalty after a foul on Henderson by Meunier. Rashford converted the spot-kick and brought England back into the game.
Incredibly, England recorded more possession in the first but didn’t carry any threat going forward. They had only 2 shots in the whole first half to Belgium’s impressive 7 shots at goal. Belgium also had the upper hand in dribble success (83%). A change was necessary for England and needed a more direct approach for the second half.
Second-half review
The second half started with England stepping up and playing more direct into Calvert-Lewin. England created lots of good chances and eventually took the lead through a deflected goal from Mount.
Surprisingly, Belgium had the majority of the ball in the second half (61%), but this time it was England who were penetrative. The home side recorded 7 shots out of which 2 were on target. England defensively also improved as they registered 6 interceptions in the second 45’.
Overall, a massive improvement in the second half by Southgate’s men but still a lot of work needs to be done. For Belgium, it was an impressive performance, but they failed to capitalize on their chances.
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