KEIR RADNEDGE in KALININGRAD: Belgium finished top of Group G at the World Cup finals in Russia after beating England 1-0 in a decider which saw both managers make a host of changes.

Adnan Januzaj struck a worthy winner with his second half curler proving too good for Jordan Pickford who was one of only three England players to retain their places from the 6-1 thrashing of Panama. It was Januzaj’s first goal for Belgium in his ninth appearance.

Belgium boss Roberto Martinez went one further with nine changes as both side went into the game fully aware that topping the group would place them in what looks like a far more dangerous half of the draw.

Both sides showed enough to suggest that both wanted to win the game, but with so many changes there was naturally a lack of cohesion in both teams, especially in the first half.

Belgium’s understudies were the better side in the second half though, and the victory means they top Group H and have arguably the easier last 16 tie against Japan on Monday, while England take on Colombia on Tuesday.

It is ahead of that though that all the pre-game talk surrounded as England will face Sweden or Switzerland in the quarter-finals, should they make it, while Belgium would be up against the winners of Brazil v Mexico.

Belgium have now won their last seven World Cup first round group games and this was the first time in England’s 15 appearances at the World Cup that they have failed to keep a clean sheet in the group stages.

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