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With the group stage in its penultimate phase teams are gearing up for the knockout stage in Russia. With all its twists and turns FIFA World Cup 2018 has been full of surprises.
One such surprise has been the battle in the Group G. Belgium and England have booked their place in the last 16. It can be rightly said that they have eased through a relatively uncomplicated group comprising of Panama and Tunisia along with them.
The European giants collide on Thursday in Kaliningrad for the final group match. As things stand, nothing separates the two sides. With 8 goals scored a piece and 2 conceded, England and Belgium have identical statistics.
Star players performing, strikers scoring and defenders being solid at the back- all of this makes the final group game between England and Belgium genuinely captivating.
Belgium started on a high with a 3-0 win over Panama before thrashing Tunisia 5-2 to win both their opening games. England had to rely on a stoppage-time goal to see off Tunisia 2-1 before thumping Panama 6-1 to earn 6 out of 6 points.
With the Goliath clash coming up, let's take a look at what the combined 11 might look like.
Goalkeeper- Thibaut Courtois
Jordon Pickford has been good for England but Courtois takes the cake here. The Chelsea man is one of the best keepers in the world and deserves his place in this combined 11. With 48 clean sheets in 126 appearances, the Belgian has been more than impressive for the London club.
At just 26 years old, the towering Belgian has earned 60 caps for his nation. Courtois is a seasoned goalkeeper and will start ahead of many when given an option.
Right back- Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker might be playing in a 3 man defence pairing at the moment but he is a genuine right back. The English international was instrumental in Manchester city’s record-breaking Premier League triumph. Walker was surprisingly left out of England's world cup squad in Brazil, something he might not be regretting with England's dismal display in South America.
Walker has been solid for England and despite his errors on few occasi0ons, Kyle Walker still remains one of the best in his position around the world. With England looking increasingly impressive, Kyle Walker will have a huge role to play in the rest of the tournament.
Left-back: Jan Vertonghen
Jan Vertonghen is one of the most efficient and reliable fullbacks in the world. The Tottenham man is a big threat down the left flank with his timed runs and close to perfect crosses.
The Belgian has played each and every minute of football for Belgium in this world cup and will be continuing this as long as Belgium stay in the hunt.
Ashley Young has had a late revival in his international career but Vertonghen pips him to the left back position.
Centre back- Toby Alderweireld
The 29 year old Belgian has been rock solid for Belgium in a 3-man defence. Toby Alderweireld plays for Tottenham Hotspurs in the premier league and is the primary reason for their emphatic defensive record.
The former Athletico Madrid man has played 70 times for Belgium and was instrumental in their qualification for the final tournament in Russia.
If Belgium is to go far in the world cup, Alderweireld needs to be at his best.
Centre-back- John stones
It was tough to choose from John Stones and Dedryck Boyata but the Manchester city centre back gets the nod here. With his two goals against Panama, John stones is tournament's current top-scoring defender.
Signed by Manchester City from Everton in 2016, Stones possess positional understanding along with aerial ability. He was rock solid for Manchester city in their historic premier league triumph. Often labelled as one of the best premier league defenders nowadays, Stones deserves to be in this combined 11.
Central Midfielder- Kevin de Bruyne
It makes the selection process a little easier when you have Kevin de Bruyne in the ranks. The Belgian is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world. Capable of changing games with pure magic, de Bruyne was the man for Manchester city in 2017-18.
The PFA player of the year is a complete package and will be a threat against any team in the world. On his day Kevin De Bruyne is as lethal as they come. Recording the most number of assists last season with Manchester city, De Bruyne's all-around play is commendable.
Though the Belgian midfielder has had a quiet start in the world cup with respect to his standards, he still offers more than his competitors.
Central Midfielder- Jordan Henderson
The Liverpool captain has had 2 great games in a row for England. Jordan Henderson brings a certain calmness to the game. Liverpool reached the Champions League finals this year and Henderson was a major influencing factor. Long passes, defensive duties and an ability to score screamers- the England midfielder has got it all.
Henderson sees off Axel Witsel courtesy of his composed playing style something extremely important for a team's success. England have had many great midfielders but unfortunately, many of them couldn't replicate their club form while playing England. Hendeson looks to end the jinx.
Left winger- Eden hazard
Once labelled as the next star of football, Eden hazard is living up to his reputation. the Belgian playmaker is often ranked amongst the best players of the world. Hazard belongs to a rare class of players who are capable of winning games for their team on their own.
The Chelsea forward has been sensational for Belgium and was pivotal in their qualification for the world cup in Russia. Hazard was on target twice in Belgium's dominant performance against Tunisia. with a bit of magic, hazard brings the much-needed flair every time he steps on the field.
Belgium's hopes rely on Eden Hazard and co. An on-song Eden Hazard is a defender's nightmare.
Right wing- Jesse Lingard
Perhaps the most surprising player on this list but Jesse Lingard's performances speak for themselves. His best quality apart from scoring world-beating goals is his movement. The England international is always involved in the game and has been sensational in the world cup so far.
Lingard was in full swing against Panama as he scored a beautiful from outside the box.
Lingard's performances had been a bright spot in an otherwise dull season for Manchester United. Englands attacking display in Russia is largely because of Jesse Lingard. With England through to the last 16, Lingard will have a major role to play if England are to win the trophy in Russia.
Striker -Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku has been in red-hot form for Belgium. With a brace in each match played, Lukaku became only the second person after Diego Maradona to score back to back braces in a World Cup; something bettered by his English counterpart- Harry Kane in the very next match.
The towering Belgian top-scored for Manchester United in the recently concluded season and has carried his tremendous form for to Russia. With 4 goals to his name, Lukaku stands joint second in the race for the golden boot.
With Belgium through to knockout stage, Lukaku will surely add a few more to his kitty.
Striker- Harry Kane
The England captain is the current top scorer of FIFA world cup 2018. With 5 goals to his name, Harry Kane has been in the form of his life. He scored 2 headers against Tunisia with one coming the 91st minute to get England all the 3 points.
Harry Kane was at his clinical best as England thrashed Panama 6-1 as he scored England's second world cup hattrick of all time after Sir Geoff Hurst.
The Tottenham striker has won the golden boot in 2 out of last 3 seasons- an impression of how devastating the English striker has been. The prolific forward has been the main man for England in Russia.
