World Cup 2018: 5 intriguing games from the group stage

Portugal v Spain - UEFA EURO 2012 Semi Final
Cristiano Ronaldo will face off against Spain once again

#5: England vs. Belgium – Group G – June 28th

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Can Harry Kane get the upper hand over Spurs teammates Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen?

The last time England faced Belgium at a major tournament was at Italia 1990, a game that looked to be heading for penalties before David Platt’s famous swivelling volley won it for England at the last possible moment. Both countries have seen mixed fortunes since, and it’s Belgium who come into this clash as favourites, as they have a ton of world-class players to call upon – the likes of Vincent Kompany, Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.

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But England might fancy their chances here simply because the majority of Belgium’s stars play in the Premier League, most of them alongside the members of England’s squad. Gareth Southgate’s side will probably know no other side better than the Belgians, and with question marks over Belgium’s manager Roberto Martinez and how he can utilise all of the talent at his disposal, things might not be so bleak for the Three Lions after all.

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Can Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld keep out their Spurs teammates Harry Kane and Dele Alli? Can John Stones put a stop to the creativity of Kevin de Bruyne? Do England really have the defensive strength to stand up to the brute power of Romelu Lukaku? These are all questions that will hopefully be answered on June 28th – and as it’s the last group game, if either side slips up in their previous games, everything could be at stake

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Which is the team you are backing? Let us know in the comments section below!.

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Edited by Kishan Prasad
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