“The back-three from hell.”
Gareth Southgate’s side took on Belgium in Kaliningrad on Thursday night to decide who finishes top of Group G. Both sides won their first two games of the group and were placed in a peculiar situation – not knowing whether it was more advantageous to finish first or second in the group.
The winner of Group G will play Japan in the last-16, and then a potential quarter-final against either Brazil or Mexico. The runner-up in the group will play Colombia, and then a quarter-final against Switzerland or Sweden if they beat the South Americans.
England made eight changes for their final World Cup group game. Only Jordan Pickford, Reuben Loftus-Cheek and John Stones remain from the 6-1 win over Panama last Sunday. Belgium manager Roberto Martinez made nine changes for the match, with Mousa Dembele, Marouane Fellaini and Thomas Vermaelen among those who came into the team.
On RTE before the match, Eamon Dunphy wasn’t impressed with England’s back-three. Phil Jones, Gary Cahill and Stones started at the back. According to Dunphy, they are the “back three from hell.” He did, however, predict England would win the game.
“They say it’s the game no-one wants to win. It could be the game no-one wants to watch!”
Dunphy then praised Belgium and Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini.
Eamon Dunphy – "Fellaini is a cult hero, students of the game see his effectiveness"
Liam Brady – …#WorldCup #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/EVtszFbEyE
— Norman McCann (@NormanMcCann) June 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/hogey1111/status/1012397451980963840
Eamon Dunphy just called Fellaini an "amazing" player 🤣
— Corey (@silversoundz) June 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/dermothendo/status/1012393124965044226
