⚽️ World Cup Russia Third Place Game - Belgium Cruises to Victory for the Bronze ⚽️

Belgium 2, England 1

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Belgium took control almost right away with the earliest goal that they have ever scored in a World Cup game. Belgian right back Thomas Meunier managed to beat English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to give Belgium the early 1-0 lead.

Earlier in the tournament, in the last game of the group stage, Belgium had defeated England by precisely that score of 1-0, giving them the group win. Obviously, this was for higher stakes, and England had only grown more confident during the tournament, so Belgium wanted another goal in order to cushion their lead a bit.

However, the vast majority of the game remained with that score. Both teams had some opportunities at times, but it seemed that no one could convert, and time kept ticking off of the clock. Since England was not scoring, the clock was actively working against the English, specifically.

Then, Belgium's midfielder Eden Hazard, who has played very well throughout the tournament and posed numerous threats throughout this game, finally broke through with a brilliant goal, splitting England's defense and sailing the ball into the left extreme of the goal, just past the reaching grasp of Pickford.

Belgium were now up, 2-0, with maybe ten minutes and change in extra time left.

As they often say in North American sports, ball game.

This was the most successful World Cup tournament ever for Belgium. They had made it to the semifinal round once before, in 1986, and lost, like they did this year. However, they also lost the consolation third place match then, thus finishing in fourth place overall for the tournament.

But Belgium showed what they were capable of in yesterday's game, underscoring just why they managed to get this far to begin with. They beat England more convincingly than they did the first time around, and earned the bronze medals.