England felt like they were on their way to the first final of the biggest competition in the world in over half a century after they spectacularly took the lead in the quarterfinals against Croatia through a Keiran Trippier free-kick, inside the opening five minutes, and it felt like they would push home the advantage on the basis of the early pressure they created.
They were quick off the blocks and caught the Croatians off guard and gave the opposition a lot to think about. Unfortunately, though, the same fate awaited them in the game to decide who walked away from Russia with the bronze medal.
Belgium struck early, around the same time that England had scored against Croatia to gain the upper hand and could then play the waiting game with the onus now on England to attack. However, where England failed in the quarterfinals – pressing home the advantage – Belgium succeeded on the night as they held off the opposition and then doubled the advantage.