Page 20 - ARUBA TODAY

A20 SPORTS
Friday 29 June 2018

Belgium beats England 1-0, moves into tougher side of draw

By ROB HARRIS letdown.
AP Global Soccer Writer England goalkeeper Jor-
KALININGRAD, Russia (AP) dan Pickford made an
— England barely seemed early save on a shot from
troubled by losing. Belgium Youri Tielemans. And after
appeared to be a reluc- a fumble by Pickford, Gary
tant winner. Cahill made a goal-line
Such was the curious con- clearance.
clusion to the group stage On the other end, Kane's
at the World Cup on Thurs- replacement up front for
day. Neither team needed England, Jamie Vardy, tried
to win and there was good his luck with a header. Mar-
reason for neither to even cus Rashford came closest
want to win. for England at the start of
Belgium did collect the the second half but his low
three points, beating Eng- shot was tipped around the
land 1-0, and secured first post by Belgium goalkeep-
place in the group on Ad- er Thibaut Courtois.
nan Januzaj's curling shot. If the script was to avoid
But that might not turn out winning, Januzaj didn't
to be the desirable out- read it. Picking up posses-
come since the victory di- sion on the edge of the
verted Belgium onto the England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford fails to make a save as Belgium's Adnan Januzaj scores the penalty area, he shifted
tougher potential path to opening goal during the group G match between England and Belgium at the 2018 soccer World the ball around Danny
the final. Cup in the Kaliningrad Stadium in Kaliningrad, Russia, Thursday, June 28, 2018. Rose and curled it into the
Although Belgium gets Associated Press corner of the net in the 51st
what appears to be an minute.
easier match against Ja- ing they were already in and Switzerland. goals watched the match JANUZAJ'S RE-EMERGENCE
pan in the round of 16, it the second round. Belgium "We don't suffer for (the from the bench. So did Januzaj was briefly one
could get trickier with a vic- made nine changes and loss)," Southgate said. Romelu Lukaku, who has of the most talked about
tory in Rostov-on-Don on still won. England lost the "When you are a leader scored four for Belgium. players in the world when
Monday. Brazil, Portugal, top spot after dropping and a manager you have "We don't like to lose, but he scored twice in his Man-
France and Argentina are Harry Kane, the tourna- to make decisions that are tonight there were other chester United debut in
possible future opponents. ment's leading scorer, and right for your group and factors that were more im- 2013. There was even talk
"I don't think you can plan seven others. your primary objectives. portant," Southgate said. of him becoming eligible
the ideal scenario," Bel- England coach Gareth Sometimes those decisions "We know our strongest 11, to play for England on resi-
gium coach Roberto Mar- Southgate could barely will be criticized ... but you but what's pleasing is that dency grounds.
tinez said. "You have seen contain his delight in find- have to think about the there are guys that have Januzaj opted for Belgium,
big nations coming very ing himself on the less chal- bigger picture." put their hand up tonight to but his career faltered. Af-
close to elimination, or al- lenging side of the draw. His For Southgate, it was as really push for a place." ter a detour at Borussia
ready eliminated." team will face Colombia much about ensuring play- KEY TO SUCCESS Dortmund and Sunderland,
Thanks to a pair of open- on Tuesday in Moscow, fol- ers like Kane did not pick What could have been a he found a new home last
ing victories for both, Eng- lowed by possible match- up injuries in a game that tantalizing match between year at Real Sociedad.
land and Belgium entered ups against Spain, Russia, wasn't essential. The lead- two strong European teams "In England I had a lot of
the Group G match know- Croatia, Denmark, Sweden ing scorer in Russia with five turned out to be a bit of a criticism. q

With World Cup field halved, here's a look at what's next

MOSCOW (AP) — The loaded France squad plays Group C vs. Group D,
World Cup started with Lionel Messi and Argentina Group G vs. Group H
eight groups of four, 32 na- in Saturday's early game, Sunday starts with Russia
tions in all seeking to make followed by Uruguay and hosting Spain in Moscow's
it to the knockout stage. Luis Suarez against Portu- main stadium, with the late
Colombia and — just bare- gal and Cristiano Ronaldo game pitting Denmark,
ly — Japan grabbed the , with the winners meeting which hasn't lost since the
two spots from Group H in July 6. Belgium — one of the fall of 2016, against Croa-
Thursday's early matches, few top-tier teams to deliv- tia, which eased through its
and England and Belgium er on its hype so far — plays group with three wins. The
sorted out the top of Group Japan, which sneaked out winners meet July 7.
F later that night to solidify of its group because it got England will carry high ex-
the field going forward. fewer yellow cards than pectations into its match
Here's a look at what's next, Senegal. Monday's later Tuesday against a talent-
starting with the round of match pits Neymar and a ed Colombia team after
16 : Brazil lineup that seems to essentially choosing that
Group A vs. Group B, Group be finding its form against matchup by fielding a
E vs. Group F a mercurial Mexico squad England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford fails to make a save as squad of reserves in its last
Belgium's Adnan Januzaj scores the opening goal during the
This half of the bracket that knocked off Germany group G match between England and Belgium at the 2018 group game against Bel-
features big names in two and South Korea but got soccer World Cup in the Kaliningrad Stadium in Kaliningrad, gium. The winners play July
high-powered matches hammered by Sweden . Russia, Thursday, June 28, 2018. 7 for the right to go to the
right out of the gate: A The winners play July 6. Associated Press semifinals.q