ST PETERSBURG, July 14, 2018 (News Wires) - Belgium finished third in the World Cup, their best-ever performance, when they beat England 2-0 with an early Thomas Meunier goal and a breakaway finished by Eden Hazard in Saturday's playoff between the losing semi-finalists. Meunier finished off a devastating move when he turned in Nacer Chadli's low cross at the far post in the fourth minute after Romelu Lukaku's pass sliced open the English defence. Belgium, who beat England 1-0 in a group match in the tournament, were more dangerous throughout a lively first half. But England improved after the break and nearly equalised when Eric Dier got clear and chipped over Thibaut Courtois, only for Toby Alderweireld to make a sliding clearance off the line. Belgium continued to threaten on the break and finished off the game when Kevin de Bruyne set Hazard clear and he swept his shot past Jordan Pickford. Gareth Southgate made five changes to his starting XI. Kieran Trippier was a surprise starter after limping off with a groin injury in the semi-final, while Harry Kane was given another chance to secure the golden boot. Phil Jones, Danny Rose, Eric Dier, Fabian Delph and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were drafted in for Kyle Walker, Ashley Young, Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard. For Belgium, Martinez employed Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Hazard as the attacking fulcrum. Youri Tielemans came in for Marouane Fellaini and Meunier returned after suspension. Belgium took the lead with the first penetrative attack of the match. Lukaku's pass found Nacer Chadli's run. The winger whipped a cross into the area and when Meunier nipped in front of Rose he only needed to make contact to beat Jordan Pickford. England were caught at the back again in the ninth minute, Tielemans winning a challenge with Delph and setting off a counter-attack. Belgium players piled in at the back post but England regrouped. A Tielemans foul on Kane allowed Southgate's side to try one of their free-kick routines but Trippier was unable to locate Harry Maguire. De Bruyne, Hazard and Lukaku were tormenting England, but Loftus-Cheek won a corner after driving into the box and Trippier and Maguire combined to give Thibaut Courtois a low, but simple, save. In the 23rd minute England built patiently from the back through several phases. Dier was the man to finally choose a killer pass, lifting a ball over the top and finding Sterling. The Manchester City forward offloaded to the advancing Kane, but his first-time shot flew a yard or two wide. For the first time Southgate was seen clapping a considered passage of play from his side. A long ball for Lukaku was cleared by England, but only as far as the waiting De Bruyne. He soon set another attack in motion, with Chadli providing width and assistance. Tielemans was given licence to strike from 20 yards but John Stones spotted the danger and smothered the shot with a diving interception. With half an hour gone England were comfortably second best and looking unlikely to claim a podium finish in Russia. A second goal for Belgium was coming closer and closer, Stones hurling his body in the way for a second time when Hazard unleashed from the edge of the area. A corner followed, with England dragged out by a clever routine which ended with Toby Alderweireld hooking over the crossbar from six yards. The half-time whistle arrived with Martinez's side in complete control. The gulf in class was evident whenever De Bruyne or Hazard got on the ball, with England's midfield over-run and their attackers cut off. The scoreline remained at 1-0 thanks to Stones' awareness in blocking a late Lukaku effort rather than diving in, but England needed a considerable upturn in performance levels if they were to find a way back in. Southgate made two changes at half-time, Sterling and Rose making way for Marcus Rashford and Lingard. That meant a tactical reshuffle, Delph slotting in at left wing-back - where he operated for much of Manchester City's title-winning Premier League campaign. The changes appeared to have a positive effect, with England starting much more assuredly in the second period. Loftus-Cheek just ran out of road after making a lively raid into the box and Rashford was quick to showcase his dribbling skills. A free-kick on the right saw Trippier curl one into the six-yard box, but Thomas Vermaelen touched it out for a corner. Lingard also had a beneficial effect, adding pace to England's midfield endeavours. He lashed a cross-shot from right to left after pushing up in support of the strikers and though it was never going to trouble Courtois directly, Kane threw himself at it in the vain hope of directing it home.
