Belgium 2-0 England: 5 talking points as hopes for the Three Nations League come to an end

England’s hopes of qualifying for the Nations League finals have come to an end after they fell in a 2-0 loss to Belgium in Leuven.

Leicester’s Youri Tielemans gave the hosts the lead on nine minutes after he found the bottom corner with a long-distance effort through a detour.

Dries Mertens doubled Belgium’s lead with a superb free kick to leave England with a mountain to climb.

The Three Lions improved after halftime, but couldn’t find their way, and the result leaves Gareth Southgate’s team unable to finish at the top of their group with one game to play.

Here are five talking points from a disappointing night for England …

Southgate with questions to answer

The most frustrating thing about England’s defeat tonight was the fact that they weren’t significantly worse than the world’s No. 1 team, and another day perhaps they could have taken something out of the game.

The Three Lions dominated possession for extended periods, but they never seemed to do it again and ultimately much of the blame for the result must lie with the coach.

The 3-4-3 formation did not build on the strengths of the team’s exciting attacking talent today, and ideas for the future often seemed lacking.

Starting with two defensive-minded midfielders in Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson seemed like an overstatement, with the introduction at halftime of Harry Winks not the solution most would have opted for.

Southgate faces some criticism for his overly conservative approach, and a victory and a morale-boosting performance to start over Iceland on Wednesday is a must if he wants to avoid mounting pressure.

Doubts about Dier again

It was another tough night in the England jersey for Tottenham’s Eric Dier, who really struggled in the center of the back three.

It was Dier who gave away a clumsy penalty in the reverse game between these two teams at Wembley, and again fouled for the first goal tonight, with a loose pass that led to Tielemans’ first goal.

It wasn’t the only time Dier gave up the ball with little pressure, and he looked shaky all night from the force of an impressive Belgian attack.

It surely won’t hold its place once the likes of Harry Maguire and Joe Gomez return.

Is time up for Pickford?

It wasn’t his worst night by a long shot, but Jordan Pickford was once again not covered in glory, particularly with Belgium’s first goal.

Yes, Tieleman’s strike was deflected, but the fact is, Pickford still managed to put a hand on the shot, and he probably should have left it out.

He had little chance with the second, but it still seems puzzling that the Everton man is being drafted over two goalkeepers who seem superior in all respects in Nick Pope and Dean Henderson.

Southgate has to show some mettle and play one of those two against Iceland.

Grealish a bright spark

Despite the result, Jack Grealish did no harm to his chances of becoming a regular for England in his first competitive outing for his country.

In the second half, in particular, everything positive came through him, and he typically drew and won a series of fouls near the box that England should have done more.

He also produced a wonderful movement on a counterattack to pass the ball to Thomas Meunier, and if anyone was going to make something happen, it was Grealish.

It’s just becoming impossible for Southgate to shut him out, despite the manager’s initial reluctance to include him.

Lukaku is still criminally undervalued

Will Romelu Lukaku ever get the credit he really deserves?

The former Manchester United and Everton striker was splendid again tonight, and his first goal assist means he has now been directly involved in 19 goals in his last 13 appearances for his national team.

His heist game in particular was fantastic tonight, and he won just about every ball thrown at him.

There is still an unfair impression in this country that Lukaku falls short of the world’s elite forwards, but his international form and his 34 goals in all competitions for Inter Milan last season tell their own story.

One of the most underrated players of his generation.