Harry Kane assured he would claim the Golden Boot, despite having one of his poorer matches in an England shirt.

England failed to make up for their loss to Belgium earlier on in the tournament in a dead rubber group stage match. 

Ultimately, Belgium’s sheer class overrode all the good possession play from England.

Counter attacking play was imperious from Belgium’s golden generation, especially from the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Dries Mertens.

Belgium

Thibaut Courtois 6 —

Had little in the way of shots that really troubled him. Typically calm and an assured presence behind his defence.

Toby Alderweireld 8 —

An astounding goalline clearance prevented an England equaliser. Nearly had himself a goal through some effortless acrobatics.

Vincent Kompany 9 —

Dominated defensively, bossing the English forward pack, predicting passes towards the likes of Kane with composure and experience. Integral to recovering possession for Belgium to work their magic offensively.

Jan Vertonghen 7.5 —

Pushed to a role he is familiar to with his national side at wingback following the introduction of Thomas Vermaelen. Impeded several English chances late on.

Thomas Meunier 8 —

Intelligently manoeuvred himself to be on the end of Chadli’s creative work to notch a goal. Potentially, Belgian fans may be pondering how much his absence truly affected the side in their loss to France.

Youri Tielemans 6 —

A tough-tackling and imperious display in Belgium’s midfield for the AS Monaco young starlet.

Axel Witsel 6 —

Key not only in distributing play but in his defensive responsibilities throughout the entirety of the match.

Nacer Chadli 7 —

Delivered an exquisite cross, matched by the run of the direct Meunier, resulting in Belgium’s opener. Undoubtedly, his reputation and price tag has increased following this World Cup, having been largely underused at West Brom last season. Hopefully his injury pull-up is not a long one.

Kevin De Bruyne 8 —

Creatively uninhibited, as he always is. If it wasn't for two poor touches by Romelu Lukaku, De Bruyne would have earned another assist or two.

Eden Hazard 8 —

Again given the captain’s armband by Roberto Martinez. His often heralded dribbling was matched by his instincts to set up his teammates in and around the 18 yard box. Finished with sheer ruthlessness as he was put through by De Bruyne.

Romelu Lukaku 5.5 —

Brilliantly played through Chadli whom crossed to Meunier for the opener. Some seriously horrid touches let himself down as he raced through one-on-one on two occasions. Will have nightmares about his two chances that might have led to matching Kane for the Golden Boot.

Subs

Thomas Vermaelen 6 —

Replaced the injured Nacer Chadli late in the first half and was solid.

Dries Mertens 6 —

Effective in linking up with the counter attacking play but, beyond a poorly taken chance from the outside of the box, was unseen up front.

Mousa Dembele 6 —

Brought on to shore up the midfield, tackling with strength.

England

Jordan Pickford 6 —

As he has been all tournament, Pickford was solid. Should have possibly done better with Meunier’s goal but was not helped by his defence falling asleep. Saved well against a Meunier volley.

Phil Jones 6 —

Competitive but largely unsighted bar a shift as a winger in an effort to find Kane at the back post.

John Stones 6 —

Shaky at times in his clearances but was good in intercepting the ball.

Harry Maguire 7.5 —

The sheer physicality of Maguire was integral to England, preventing much of Belgium’s good play in the box. The Belgium attack came up against arguably England’s best player of the tournament, acting as a wall at times to prevent his side being breached. Additionally good in the air at both ends of the pitch.

Kieran Trippier 6.5 —

Again dangerous through the pinpoint accuracy of his crosses and free kicks, as well as being positionally aware in defence to stunt some of Belgium’s good work throughout.

Rueben Loftus-Cheek 7 —

Appeared the most likely to be more than a nuisance against a solid Belgian defence before England began to come in to the match. Chelsea, do not loan this man out again, he’s a keeper.

Fabian Delph 7.5 —

Always applied pressure on the Belgium midfield and was so significant in pivotal moments in defence. Crucially prevented Belgium on numerous occasions in the second half from adding to their hefty goal tally at this World Cup.

Eric Dier 7 —

Replaced Jordan Henderson as the lynchpin in the middle of the park and was effective at both ends of the pitch. Had England’s best chance of the match cleared off the line by his Tottenham teammate Alderweireld. Anticipated well and came into the game well in an offensive sense in the second half. Was the creative hub of England in the second half, an area where Jordan Henderson was arguably deficient in at this World Cup.

Danny Rose 5 —

Energetic, but ultimately Meunier got the better of him on a few occasions, leaving England scrambling to defend. Replaced by Lingard for the second half.

 

Raheem Sterling 5 —

Despite his positive running and stretching of the Belgium defence at times, his poor touches and lack of mobility when it was needed cost his side as Belgium countered, putting the English defence under pressure.

Harry Kane 5 —

Restricted to half chances and skewed the rare opportunities he was given.

Subs

Jesse Lingard 6 —

Importantly, the Manchester United man was brought on alongside Rashford at the beginning of the second half. Lively, but lacked a finishing touch in his 45 minutes spent on the pitch.

Marcus Rashford 7 —

Took to the pitch with close friend Lingard and displayed his pace and offensive play wholeheartedly.

Dele Alli N/A —

Brought on late in the second half with little chance to alter the result.