England are back in the game that no one wants to be involved in as they take on Belgium for the accolade of finishing third at the World Cup, which should they win would be their best finish at the tournament since winning it in 1966.
It will be the second time the two teams have played after meeting in the final round of group stage fixtures, where Belgium ran out 1-0 winners to secure top spot in Group G.
Adnan Januzaj scored the only goal of the game there – that may actually have cost Belgium a World Cup final spot given their tougher route – but he doesn't get a second chance to shine as Belgium named their strongest team possible in St Petersburg, with England in contract making numerous changes..
Follow all the live action below...
Live Updates
Read more...
17:42
Thanks for joining us as we watched Belgium clinch the bronze medal against England in the third-place play-off. With just one game left to go, all eyes now turn to the final, France vs Croatia. We'll be back tomorrow with all the build-up, match action and reaction as we wait for the World Cup to be held aloft once again.
17:40
Just the final left to come...what a World Cup it has been
17:27
It's Belgium with the bronze medals around their necks...
17:26
Gareth Southgate speaking to ITV post-match:
"I think they were a better side than us and we had to play flat out, and the reality is we had a day less to prepare and recover and it was a game too far for us. In the second half we caused them lots of problems, they were always a threat on the counter. I think we are competitive in every game, we've come through and overcome a lot of landmarks we needed to, to finish in the top four. it is probably above where we are currently."Two years on you look at the number of caps the Belgium players have they're at their peak, we are nowhere near our peak yet. I think we've tried to maximise the players that we have and their individual profiles its not club football and we can't go and buy players and the ones that have been here have acquitted themselves well and I couldn't have asked for more."
17:19
It may feel as though England have whimpered out of this World Cup but it's worth remembering their 4th place finish with a mostly young and experienced side equals anything an England side have EVER achieved when leaving their own shores. Not bad for a side which many said lacked any truly world class players. The Three Lions have roared in Russia.
17:13
Some analysis post-match from Ed Malyon - do you think England have missed the potential impact of Wilfried Zaha
17:11
Belgium manager Roberto Martinez speaks post-match about his history-making side
"I think that's all about that achievement, these players deserve that. The talent takes you somewhere but these players wanted to rely on working as a team and will do anything to achieve results."They wanted to make the country proud. When you are on the ball and the legs are a little bit tired England are the best team at dead ball situations you have to concentrate. To keep a clean sheet is down to the concentration and desire of the players. These players have broken records the right way and the legacy should stay for many years to come."
17:07
England vs Belgium: Gulf in class laid bare, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne dictate and Harry Kane quiet again By Lawrence Ostlere
17:04
REPORT: Three Lions leave Russia with a whimper to finish fourth after convincing defeat
17:03
Harry Kane post-match speaking to ITV
"I thought second half we played really well and had them on the ropes. We couldn't get a goal and had one cleared off the line. The lads couldn't have given anymore it's been a tough tournament and Belgium are a good side."120 minutes a couple of days ago but we wanted to play and finish on a high but it shows we can still learn and get better and hold our heads up high."Today shows there's still room for improvement, we are not a finished article yet. With this group of lads they'll want to improve every time they get together. We don't want to wait another 20 odd years to get another semi final this is a level we want to stay at now."It (the Golden Boot) shows we had a very good group stage and scored a lot of goals. If i do it, it will be something i'll be very proud of. We come into every competition to win but we have made huge strides."
16:53
FULL TIME: Belgium 2-0 England
Goals from Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard enough to display the overall quality of a Belgian side that were unlucky not to make tomorrow's final. This golden generation are now the best to have ever played for Belgium in terms of World Cup finishes, and Harry Kane may well walk away with the Golden Boot.
The bronze medal match a strange one for the loser. After all the success and excitement about their campaign they will return to England on the back of two defeats. Suddenly that win over Sweden feels like years ago.
16:46
87 mins: Belgium continue to fly forward on the counter and once, a moment ago, it was Vincent Kompany running the length of the pitch and into England's penalty area. That says all you need to know about the confidence of the Belgians.
16:42
84 mins: Dele ON, Loftus-Cheek OFF for England
16:41
82 mins: GOAL! Belgium 2-0 England (Eden Hazard)
That looks to be that, from back to front Belgium are class and it's the world class pairing of De Bruyne and Hazard combining who whips his shot between Pickford and his post.
16:39
80 mins: Jordan Pickford saves England, but as a neutral you almost wish that goal had gone in. It had everything, from defence with one touch passing, back heels and finally a volley that would have been one of the very best goals of this World Cup
16:36
78 mins: Dembele ON Tielemans OFF for Belgium
16:33
74 mins: Trippier with another delivery from a similarly placed free kick, and Maguire gets his head on it. Just wide of goal, but definitely an improved England in this second half
16:30
71 mins: Kompany fouls Rashford and England have a free kick around 30 yards out. England starting to ask some questions of Belgium
16:29
70 mins: OFF THE LINE! A one-two with Dier and Rashford the former dinked it over Courtois and Alderweireld gets back to slide it off the line! Brilliant defending
16:27
69 mins: Dier with a shot from range as play opened up for him. He didn't quite catch it well enough and it's comfortable for Courtois
Please allow a moment for the blog to load...
What time is it?
The game kicks off at 15:00 BST in St Petersburg.
Where can I watch it?
The third-place play-off will be shown on ITV and the ITV Hub online, with coverage starting at 14:30pm BST.
Prediction
Who cares? Really, who actually remembers who was in the last third-place play-off, let alone who won it? No one wants to play in it and even fewer want to watch it. But, 2-0 Belgium.
Odds
Belgium: 6/5
England: 12/5
Draw: 14/5
