ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – For Belgium and England, the World Cup’s third-place match was akin to a dress rehearsal for future finals at major tournaments.
That’s their hope, at least.
Belgium earned its best World Cup finish by beating England 2-0 Saturday in a match both saw as the start of a push for the 2020 European Championship and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“With this winning mentality, you can win trophies,” said Eden Hazard, who scored Belgium’s second goal. “In two years, in four years, we will be better. We have young players. They are very good also in the team. They push all of us.”
Thomas Meunier and Hazard scored at St. Petersburg Stadium in a match between the two semifinal losers after Belgium lost 1-0 to France on Tuesday and England lost 2-1 to Croatia in extra time Wednesday.