When do you ever try to finish runners-up?
All the pre-match discussion surrounding England and Belgium’s clash has been dominated by who actually wants to finish top of Group G.
It’s safe to say that Belgium have made their position very, very clear. They want to finish second.
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England and Belgium have both made major changes to their teams for the match, but it’s clearly the Red Devils who really want to finish as runners-up.
Youri Tielemans and Leander Dendoncker both picked up two needless yellow cards in the first-half.
Marouane Fellaini has also tried valiantly to get his name in the referee’s book, somehow avoiding a caution in the first 45 minutes.
Normally, bookings would be nothing more than a side-note in a game of football.
Yellow cards however are going to decide the long term implications of this match.
Belgium supporters could even be heard cheering when their side picked up a yellow card.
England are now 3 yellow cards behind Belgium in the Fair Play points ruling.
After Belgium took the lead through Adnan Januzaji, they currently top the group ahead of the Three Lions.
As it stands, England will play Japan in the round of 16 and Belgium will face Colombia.
The situation could all change however if the Three Lions equalise or pick up a straight red card.
Either scenario would result in Belgium dropping back into second place in the group. Which is what they want.
So that means no flying headbutt from Jamie Vardy in the second half, please.
It’s coming home.
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