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With an effective match, Belgium eliminated England from the Nations League final, after winning 2-0 in Group 2 at home.
The Red Devils scored until the middle of the first half, and then kept up the pressure of the rival, who acted actively, but lacked precision in the important moments.
Roberto Martinez’s men lead the group by 12 points, but need a point against Denmark on Wednesday to reach the final stage after Red Dynamite defeated Iceland 2-1 with 10 points. England keeps the 7.
From the start, Greenish brought Kane good, but his shot went through the door. The British held up well, but Belgium scored on their first dangerous attack. Eric Dyer missed a pass while catching the ball, Alderweireld caught it and passed in front of the door, and then Lukaku found Yuri Tillemans, who scored with a precise shot.
The visitors came close to responding as Kane caught a header and passed Courtois in Tripier’s corner, but Lukaku was in the right place and scored from the goal line.
The English attacked in those minutes and had the advantage, but the locals again showed excellent efficiency to increase their advantage. De Bruyne earned a foul from Rice in a dangerous position and Dries Mertens scored with an excellent direct free kick.
This put the Red Devils at ease and put Gareth Southgate’s men in a very difficult situation. Mount could not shoot well on a good attack from Denar before Ben Chillwell was replaced by Bucayo Saka due to a bad back.
At the end of the first half, Kane managed to get out and fire dangerously from a small angle, but Courtois did, so the break came with a very good advantage for Belgium.
After that, the English started with a very serious press and ambition. They won two fouls in excellent positions in front of the opponent’s penalty area, but Mount and Tripier missed on direct free kicks.
This was followed by minutes in which the Isla players were not precise enough in the final phase and never managed to annoy their opponent enough by returning a goal.
Grillish fired just before Southgate released Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jaden Sancho and changed the pattern to 4-4-2. However, the lack of sufficient creativity continued. The hosts lurked for a decisive blow and in the 76th minute Lukaku had a chance, but Pickford saved his shot from close range.
Harry Kane was inaccurate in the 81st minute when he escaped but fired a disappointing shot. In the 84th minute Saka fell from contact with Munie, but did not follow the penalty signal. Lukaku fired just before the end, but his team won anyway.
Belgium – England 2: 0
1: 0 Tilemans 10
2: 0 Mertens 23
Belgium: Courtois, Munier, Alderweireld, Denayer, Vertonghen, Tillemans, Witzel, T. Hazard, De Bruyne, Mertens (81 Pratt), Lukaku
England: Pickford, Walker, Dyer, Mings, Tripier (69 Sancho), Rice, Henderson (46 Winx), Chillwell (38 Saka), Mount (69 Calvert-Lewin), Greelish, Kane
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