Belgium vs England: 5 Talking Points as Belgium finish third at World Cup 2018

SCORE: (Munier 4'; Hazard 82') Belgium 2-0 England

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England and Belgium have been two of the most entertaining teams in Russia this summer with both sides scoring freely and staging major upsets on their way to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup. A final chance to play for their country on the grandest stage of them all was all the encouragement any side would need, but there was also the matter of who gets the bronze medal.

The game got off to a flier with Belgium taking the lead through a stunning combination of interplay ending with Tomas Munier opening the scoring. England battled hard to restore parity but Belgium held firm, going on to double their advantage late on through Eden Hazard.

Belgium salvage some pride after losing out to France in the semis while England enjoyed their best run in the competition in decades. Here are the Talking Points from the game which saw Belgium walk away with the consolation of finishing second runners-up:

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#5 Belgium do to England what England did to Croatia

A well-taken goal by Munier.

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.

#4 The overreliance on Harry Kane cost England, like it did in the semis

Dier came the closest but was denied by his club teammate

Harry Kane has been in red-hot form coming into Russia after just being edged out by Mohammed Salah on the goal-scoring charts in the Premier League. He has been a revelation for Tottenham over the last five years or so and has rightly acquired the reputation of one of the most lethal strikers in world football.

England were hoping that their captain could deliver the goods for his country as well and the fact that he scored a truckload of them in the opening stages of the competition made their belief - that it was coming home - grow stronger.

To a keen observer though, the overdependence of England on the Tottenham man's ability to find the back of the net was evident. Add to that Sterling's inability to put chances away and Rashford and Lingard's relative inexperience, and you would worry about England's prospects should Kane fail to do his thing.

He couldn't find a way past the keeper against Croatia and that eventually ended England's hopes for ultimate glory. It was the same story with Belgium in the third-place playoff.

#3 England fail to make the ariel threat count

Just didn't happen for the duo

Apart from Harry Kane's goals, and including some of his, England have been very effective from set-pieces. They have managed to make the height advantage in their side count, especially through the centre-back pairing of John Stones and Harry Maguire.

Both the defenders have scored three goals between them and have come up with vital headers to affect proceedings late on.

After falling behind, the Three Lions did try to put pressure on the Belgian defence through crosses from set-pieces and although Maguire and co. managed to get their heads to a couple of deliveries, they failed to find the elusive goal.

#2 Eden Hazard signs off in style

Calm and composed

Belgium's captain is one of the most impressive talents in world football and has been pivotal in his side's run to the semi-finals of the World Cup.

He had a goal and two assists going into the final game against England in which he managed to double his goal tally with a wonderfully-taken goal.

It was typical Hazard, imperious on the ball, gliding past players, before forcing the goalkeeper to go down and then nonchalantly slotting the ball into the near post. His final game for Belgium in Russia and a chance to show to the world just why he is attracting interest from the biggest clubs in Europe. Good Luck holding onto him Chelsea!

#1 Belgium have something to show for their impressive run

Belgium can be proud of themselves

Belgium have been one of the most exciting teams to watch in this edition of the World Cup, They have scored the most number of goals and have created countless chances. Their determination to come back from 2 goals down against Japan in the Round of Sixteen and then the confidence to go on to humble the favorites to lift the trophy, Brazil, has been commendable and has provided us with some really special moments.

Although everyone back home would've wanted their 'Golden Generation' to go all the way, a bronze medal is a reminder of just how good their side has been in Russia.

England, meanwhile, have a lot to be proud of themselves. Gareth Southgate has managed to get the supporters back in love with their side following the fairytale run they've enjoyed in the competition. A lot of positives for both teams with plenty of youth for both managers to work with and try and go one better when they do it all over again in Qatar in four years.