World Cup 2018: 3 reasons why England lost against Belgium

Almost everything had been decided in Group G but the dullness that England and Belgium brought on to the pitch was vaguely reminiscent of a couple of Manchester United's European outings.

Sapped of any enthusiasm to actually come out guns blazing, both teams struggled to create proper opportunities as the most high-profile game of the group was reduced to more of a 'friendly' due to the safe scenario that the teams found themselves in.

Adnan Januzaj scored a peach of a curler from the right side of the England box and at the end of the day, that goal proved to be the difference between the two sides as Belgium finished atop the group.

Belgium will now face Japan and England will face Colombia in the Round of 16.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the three reasons why England lost against Belgium.

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#3 Experimental side lacked experience

England retained only Pickford, Stones and Loftus-Cheek from their last outing against Panama. And even they were only playing in their first World Cup anyway.

While Trent Alexander-Arnold's set-piece delivery was decent, his crossing left a lot to be desired. Danny Rose was intermittently enterprising. Loftus-Cheek never really got going. Delph and Dier had nothing to offer in midfield and were easily outmuscled by Mousa Dembele and Marouane Fellaini.

As the England youngsters struggled to take the minimal opportunities that came their way, Adnan Januzaj, on the other hand, took it with both hands. He had a great game, easily slaloming past Danny Rose on multiple occasions and being sure-footed in his movement throughout the day.

But it's still nothing for England to worry about as they were without 8 or 9 of their key players and it really is no indicator of the quality of this English side.

#2 Fresh setup loses midfield battle entirely

Dier found it tough to negotiate with the midfield duo of Fellaini and Dembele

This was only bound to happen. As opposed to England's midfield comprising of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fabian Delph and Eric Dier, Belgium had Marouane Fellaini, Mousa Dembele, Tielemans, Thorgan Hazard and Adnan Januzaj though the latter two were playing in a more advanced role.

But Fellaini and Dembele proved to be far too experienced for Dier and co as they kept the ball with relative ease.

In fact, they were dominating the aerial duels and were also quick to latch on to the loose balls. However, England would have been a much different side if they had the likes of Henderson, Jesse Lingard and Dele Alli.

#1 No Harry, no party

Rashford missed a great opportunity to equalize for England

Jamie Vardy and Marcus Rashford are a formidable duo and offered a few sparks along the way. But the lads haven't really played with each other that much and it will take them time to burgeon into a worthy alternative for the prolific Harry Kane.

Marcus Rashford missed a one-on-one after being released in on goal by Jamie Vardy. That was England's best chance of the game and you can't help but say that it would have been bread and butter stuff for Harry Kane.

Though Rashford drops back and his occasional dribbles can set the stage alight, he has to improve his finishing to evolve into a top striker. Jamie Vardy never really got going and this could very well have been his last game in the World Cup.