Belgium played in the World Cup semi-finals for a second time after also reaching the last four in Mexico in 1986, where they went on to lose to France in the third-place match.

"Gutted to lose in the semi-finals. We gave it our all. The support from all the fans in Russia and back home has been unbelievable. Thank you," Vertonghen wrote on Twitter.

The 31-year-old has been capped 108 times for Belgium, scoring nine goals since he made his international debut in 2007, including one goal at this summer's tournament, which inspired the Red Devils to a 3-2 comeback win over Japan in the last 16.

Belgium will now face England or Croatia in the third-place match at the St. Petersburg Stadium on Sunday morning.