Belgium claim third place after 2-0 victory over England

Belgium beat England 2-0 in the World Cup third-place playoff in Saint Petersburg on Saturday.

Belgium defender Thomas Meunier opened the scoring just four minutes into the game with a close range strike following an excellent cross by Nacer Chadli, who was substituted for Thomas Vermaelen six minutes before half time after sustaining an injury to his leg.

England pushed in search of an equalizer, but were hit on the counterattack with Eden Hazard doubling Belgium's lead in the 82nd minute, slotting the ball past England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford following a good pass by Kevin De Bruyne.

The two teams have already met at this summer's tournament in the group stage, with Belgium beating England 1-0 on 28 June.

Belgium have achieved their best ever result at a World Cup. They had previously finished fourth at the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup kicked off on 14 June and will come to a close on Sunday, with France facing Croatia in the final at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

(AFP)