England 0-1 Belgium: 5 Talking Points as Belgium top Group G, World Cup 2018

SCORE: England 0-1 Belgium (Januzaj 51')

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The final set of group stage matches were played with Panama taking on Tunisia and the top of the table clash was between England and Belgium to decide the set of fixtures for the Round of Sixteen.

Both England and Belgium were on 6 points each with the former in first place owing to a superior fair play point tally. Belgium needed to get all three points in order to set up a clash with Japan instead of the free-scoring Colombian side and that's exactly what they did.

Despite both managers deciding to give some of the reserves a run out in the competition with qualification already secured, the game was played at a good pace with two of the highest goal-scoring sides in Russia looking to do what they do best.

Plenty to contemplate about, here are 5 Talking Points:

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#5 Premier League affair on the global stage

An argument for the effectiveness of the Premier League was this match between England and Belgium. The English have struggled to find success on the international stage despite a wealth of talent in their ranks over the past couple of decades.

A team with the talents of Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and Wayne Rooney failed to win silverware for their country. The reason most commonly offered was substantiated by the number of Belgian players who ply their trade in England - the fact that England doesn't prioritize local talent.

For the first time though, England themselves have a reason to be optimistic in an international event after the terrific start to the campaign.

While Belgium can boast of some of the best from the Premier League with a Tottenham defensive partnership at the back, the Manchester City captain as their captain, Kevin de Bruyne in the centre alongside Fellaini, and arguably the biggest thing in England since Cristiano Ronaldo - Eden Hazard.

England meanwhile, understandably, have quality from the ranks of Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea but also showcase the talents of lesser-known sides in England like Leicester and Everton.

No wonder the game was as open as any in the competition so far; a hallmark of the Premier League - exciting attacking football.

#4 Change in personnel for both sides

Both managers rung in the changes.

Both sides made a host of changes with Belgium resting all their big names like Hazard, De Bruyne and Lukaku. This afforded the reserves the opportunity to stake their claim for a starting spot by making the most of the opportunity: Thorgan Hazard, Adnan Januzaj, Dembele and Batshuayi benefiting from the absence of the stars. Defensively, Dendoncker, Boyata and Vermaelen played as a part of the back three.

England, meanwhile, decided to rest their key players with Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, and Kyle Walker all missing out; Dier, Delph, Rashford, Vardy and Loftus-Cheek coming into the starting line-up.

#3 Adnan Januzai winds back the clock

Januzaj with the winner

Adnan Januzaj was trolled mercilessly after he got selected in the Belgian squad for the World Cup and the likes of Leroy Sane didn't for their respective sides. The mercurial left-footed winger has struggled to fulfil his potential and was moved on by Manchester United.

He has struggled to prove his former employers wrong and has only found life more difficult in the clubs he has gone on to play for: Dortmund, Sunderland and Real Sociedad. He got his chance to set the record straight when he was drafted into the side by Roberto Martinez and he grabbed it with both hands.

He reminded us of what he was capable of with a near Arjen Robben-like finish, cutting back onto his favourite left foot and curling it in, past the diving goalkeeper. A goal worthy of winning any game as that is how it proved to be in the end.

#2 England missed Harry Kane's quality in front of goal

Kane was an unused substitute against Belgium.

England more than did their bit in the attacking aspect of things. They went toe to toe with one of the most impressive offensive units in the competition, albeit with a number of big names missing.

There was enough talent in the English ranks as well, despite the absence of their captain Harry Kane, Jordan Henderson in midfield and Raheem Sterling and Jesse Lingard on the wings. This afforded the likes of Dier, Delph and Loftus Cheek a chance in the middle of the park, with Vardy and Rashford playing up front.

Although the replacements in the midfield more than stood up for their side, both Vardy and Rashford were guilty of letting resentable chances pass them by. Despite creating their fair share of chances, their inability to trouble the scorers has to be attributed to the absence of Harry Kane leading the line.

#1 It's not coming home

England have some work to do.

England are a much better unit, collectively, as any, we have seen for some time. The management style of Gareth Southgate needs to be credited with that being the case. He has managed to galvanize a country who for so long now seem to have resigned to their fate; their inability to get over the winning line.

However, there is a still a long way to go. They are undoubtedly a work in progress and, as was proved on the night, there are a few issues that need to be addressed if they are to last in the competition.

They were unable to restrict the attacking players in the opposition from affecting proceedings, let the game open up way too much, and failed to put away their chances at the other end of the field. They will have to learn to absorb the pressure from the opposition much better than they did and were lucky to not concede more than the one from Januzaj as Belgium hounded them in search of a second to kill the game off.